Ripinski

Mt. Ripinsky, 2500ft. Snow quality is excellent on shaded aspects protected from the north winds. Surface is facetted leftover pow. Ice crust underneath impenetrable. Bonding between the ice crust and pow on top was strong. No recent avalanches or danger signs observed. Note: in windy alpine areas, 5-30cm thick wind slab at top of snowpack. Seemed pretty dense and bonded in this location. That said, thinner alpine areas appeared to be wind loaded over old facets, so caution advised above treeline.. Originally posted by Erik Stevens on alaskasnow.org