Lutak Zone

Conditions remain very touchy above 1500’ where the new and recently wind transported snow fell onto old, weak facets. Above 1500’ we observed widespread whumphing, and lengthy shooting cracks (up to 30’). Most of the activity was centered around the old/new snow interface although there are still storm layers from density and temperature changes within the new snow that failed with easy force in hand and Ski shears. The slab overlying the F hardness facets is generally 4f although in particularly exposed windy terrain the slab is 1f, and even P hardness. A strong North wind kept us company all day blowing extensive snow off of ridge lines and through cross loaded terrain. We observed one natural avalanche, SE aspect, 2800’, crown 60cm ish, slab dimensions 60ftx80ft, size D2 at the old/new snow interface. Avalanche must have been less than 3 hours old given the voluminous new snow transport and the rate at which our tracks were filling in. Originally posted by Jonny Bomber on alaskasnow.org