Numerous small (D1) dry loose sluffs observed on SE, S,SW and W facing terrain today. These were largely below rock bands, in tight gully features and steep terrain (40*+). The most action occurred after 11 AM as warming in the upper snowpack occurred. We were able to kick off small sluffs that entrained facets. These were benign, slow moving and easy to mitigate/avoid while descending.
Largest dry loose natural observed was a D1.5 in the Lodge Run on Marmot on a SW aspect at 4400'.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Gold Chord
A gorgeous day up in Hatcher: calm winds, blue skies, boot top powder…Those who were out relished in the glory of why we ski here. Toured up the south ridge of Gold Chord to assess snow quality, recent sluffs and observed recently skied and ridden terrain.
Avalanche Details
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
Our snowpack is demonstrating cohesion. The only signs of instability were small sluffs in steep terrain. Only a few of these (see photos) were large enough to catch and carry a person, but appeared unlikely to bury them.
Weather
-Bluebird! The day was crystal clear with blue skies in Hatcher and some thin clouds south over the Chugach. This continued into our field departure time of 1400.
-Winds were calm throughout the day.
-By mid morning/early afternoon (1100-1400), signs of warming in the upper snowpack were causing small natural dry loose.
-No new snow since 3/4
Snow surface
Soft, loose and faceted snow was the theme as we toured up Gold Chord. We could feel areas where old crusts had loosened and had easy ski pole handle penetration, up to 2' in depth on pole tests. Higher up, old wind affect was apparent and the 2/22 and 2/24 storm snow with our last 3-4" from 3/4 appeared lesser, 2-6" in some places in "dust on crust" fashion. Skiing was by far the best on mid-lower angle terrain on the bottom 2/3rds of Gold Chord. With warmer temps on solar aspects were exhibiting mild glopping and you could make a cohesive but dry snowball.
Snowpack
Hand shears and pole tests were performed throughout the day with no alarming results. No formal pits were dug because our only concern was surface instability with dry loose sluffs.
3.8 Natural sluffs on Skyscraper SE 4000'
3.8 Medium size natural sluff in the Lodge Run on Marmot SW 4400'
3.8 Natural sluffs btw Nosehairs and the Pinnacle SE-SW 4000'
3.8 Conditions include a variety of snow surfaces inlcuding powder, scoured ridges, and recent dry loose sluffs in steep terrain , Gold Spine/Lost Couloir ESE 4500'
3/8 Cornices are large on leeward aspects and something to watch out for in the coming weeks. Gold Chord W 5000'
3.8 Human triggered sluff on lower Gold Chord SE 4000'
3.8 Snow surfaces were warming up sticking to ski poles and just barley warm enough for small rollerball activity on southerlies
3.8 Snow surfaces were warming up and acting slightly cohesive around noon on southerly aspects with a high angle of incidence to the sun