Observation: Hatcher Pass

Started from the MP 16 parking lot at 11:00 am, followed the skin track over the creek and to E face, then cut up S face of NE rib (above Wimp Bowl). Noted graupel and new snow depth of ~4 inches. Noted sun effect – sun crust and rollerballs. At 2,700 ft probed 95 cm. Looks like there is an older slide on this face (underneath new snow), around 26° angle – debris at 3,000 ft, crown at 3,080 ft. As we were skinning up alongside this slide, one member of the party reported hearing a whumpf. A little bald in some places due to wind effect with rocks and tundra poking through. Another whumpf noted at 3,250 ft. Collapse noted at 3,400 ft. Turned around on top of rib at 3,800 and skiied down NE face – a delightful powder ski, protected from the sun. Back at the parking lot at 2:00 pm, 47°!