No Red Flags and poor visibility restricted view of recent avalanches.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Decision Point- Gold Mint Trailhead
Splitboard tour from Gold Mint lot east towards a spot referred to as Decision Point. 6 to 8 inches of new low density snow in the last 24 hours. Poor visibility restricted view and no new avalanches were observed. No other red flags to mention.
Observer Comments
Weather
Calm winds with overcast skies. At my location the temperature was 3.7F degrees. There was a strong temperature inversion with a 19F degrees drop between 3:00 and 5:00PM; 25F down to 6F according to Marmot weather station.
Snow surface
6 to 8 inches of new snow in 24 hours. The new snow came with very cold temperatures near zero and is low density ~7-8%. The efficient storm was moisture rich and produced small flakes that were rimed (0.5mm)
Snowpack
The new snow did not have slab characteristics and felt well-bonded to the old surface. The old snow surface resembles a thin and 4F- soft wind skin of faceted snow 1-2cm thick. Small near-surface facets can be found below this old snow surface. The snowpack was 163cm (64 inch) deep. Most of the snowpack is comprised of faceted snow grains and devoid of firm crusts or large jumps in hardness characteristics. The previously firm layers have degraded from faceting during the cold drought conditions over the past 2 weeks. No alarming stability test results ECTX; CT6@139 BRK in new snow.
Decision Point-29-Jan