North of Tonsina

Quick report

Spent the day east of Valdez and north and west of the Tonsina glacier. Overall observed snowpack structure was right side up with 50-70cm of HN from the last week. Melt crusts have developed in most locations on slopes with direct solar input with distinct snow quality changes below 4000'. Wide spread surface hoar was noted in most locations. We only observed it sitting on top of soft snow, but this could be because of where we skied, its quite possible this same setup is on firmer snow surfaces as well. Snowpack tests results throughout areas skied showed non concerning results with no propagation on ECT's and rough failures on compression tests within density changes in recent storm snow. We noticed multiple fresh cornice failures that did not release any large slabs on slopes they fell on. We had one ski cut produce a size 1 windslab in an isolated location in apparent wind deposit. Most runs over 40 degrees produced large fast running sluff's, but other then that no signs of deeper instabilities.