Magpie

We toured up Magpie today to check surface conditions following last week’s wind event and to determine how high the February 10 rain/melt-freeze crust is present in the Girdwood Valley. Although there were pockets of wind-affected and variable snow, there was still some snow left for wind transport across the apron. Winds increased throughout the day and shifted from a west to northwest flow, and began to impact surface conditions by late afternoon. 

At an elevation of 3,060 ft on an East aspect, we dug a snowpit and found approximately 35 cm of near-surface facets on top of the stout February 10 rain/melt-freeze crust (facet sandwich). The December facet layer was also present, but neither layer reacted in stability tests, and overall results indicated stable conditions. After digging pits, we continued touring up to the Magpie Cirque to an elevation of 4,400 ft. Here, we observed wind scouring down to the February 10 crust, with areas of glaze ice present on the surface.

Although the “Crystal Palace” didn’t live up to its name today, it was still a beautiful tour, and we managed to get a couple of laps in boot-bottom powder.

We occasionally encountered the February 10 rain/melt crust while touring, but it was mostly confined to areas with significant wind scouring at lower elevations and in the Magpie Cirque. It was noteworthy that we still found glaze ice surface conditions at an elevation of 4,400 ft. We dug a snowpit at 3,060 ft on an east aspect.

Snowpit #1:
HS: 130 cm
Elevation: 3,060 ft
Aspect: 90° (E)
ECTN18 @ 30 cm ↓
ECTN22 @ 40 cm ↓
(Non-propagating results both above and below the February 10 rain/melt freeze crust layer.)

At this location, the February 10 rain/melt freeze crust layer was approximately 35 cm down and had facets on both sides. December facets were found at approximately 70 cm down. We also observed fist-hard, advanced facets from 35 cm down to the ground.