Item: CRUSTS AND FACETS: A CASE STUDY OF A SEASON WITH DEEP ISSUES NEAR GIRDWOOD, AK
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Title: CRUSTS AND FACETS: A CASE STUDY OF A SEASON WITH DEEP ISSUES NEAR GIRDWOOD, AK
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2023, Bend, Oregon
Authors:
- Andrew Schauer [ Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, Girdwood, AK, USA ]
- Aleph Johnston-Bloom [ David Hamre and Associates, Anchorage, AK, USA ]
- Matt McKee [ Alaska Railroad, Anchorage, AK, USA ]
- Jim Kennedy [ Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Girdwood, AK, USA ]
Date: 2023-10-08
Abstract: During the 2021-22 winter season, the snowpack in the southwest Chugach and northeast Kenai mountains near Girdwood, Alaska, was characterized by two crusts that formed early in the season and were directly related to avalanches that occurred throughout the winter and persisted until the snowpack melted in the spring. Although southcentral Alaska is no stranger to avalanche problems associated with buried crusts, these two layers were noteworthy in their geographic extent, the duration of the period in which they stayed reactive, and their impact on multiple avalanche forecasting operations in the area. The avalanches related to these two problematic layers impacted infrastructure, affected ski resort operations, and led to at least two near-misses with backcountry users. This case study summarizes the weather events that formed the problematic snowpack, documents the avalanche activity associated with these layers, and highlights challenges and lessons learned while forecasting during this difficult season. This case study is a collaboration between avalanche professionals from the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center (CNFAC), Alyeska Resort, Alaska Railroad, and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. We hope the perspectives shared from this challenging season will improve the ability of forecasters from many different operations to predict similar events in the future.
Object ID: ISSW2023_O7.04.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Andrew Schauer
Keywords: deep slab, crust, persistent weak layer, infrastructure, headache
Page Number(s): 589 - 596
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