No cracking or whumping was observed over the past 2 days. We saw a couple small avalanches that likely occurred Saturday thru Monday. See pics
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Gold Chord>Pinnacle and Peak 4068'>Peak 4100'>Frostbite to Skeetawk
This observation combines two field days of touring and assessing wind slab thickness and reactivity, assessing snow surface conditions and seeking out good ski/riding quality. We have observed few recent avalanches over the past several days with good stability.
Observer Comments
Weather
No new snow since 1/14.
Calm winds were observed on Wednesday on 4068' Ridgeline and Frostbite. Marmot reported NE gusts 15-21mph for 7 hours on Tuesday at 4500' although winds were calm on top of Gold Chord and the Pinnacle.
Temperatures were well below zero in the valley on Tuesday and Wednesday while an inversion up at Hatcher's reported a balmy 18-23 deg F both days at 4500'.
Temps at 3550' were in the teens on Tuesday and in the low 20's F on Wednesday. Temps were 11-15deg F on Tuesday and in the teens on Wednesday at 2750'.
Snow surface
Snow surfaces in most locations are faceted (sugary) and soft. At and just below ridgeline as well as on cross-loaded features, firm and smooth wind packed surfaces and breakable crust exist. Breakable wind slab 1-2" thick can be found on east to west aspects but it is patchy, not well connected, and lacks continuity. Last weeks wind has affected ski and riding quality however good turns can be found if you look hard enough.
Snowpack
Hand pits and pole tests over the last couple days reveal old stubborn wind slabs that lack propagation expect for in the most isolated or extreme terrain.
1/23 Debris from a wind slab on Idaho Peak. Crown is filled in and not visible. SW 2800'
1/23 Wind sculpted surfaces are mostly faceting out.
1/23 Snow surfaces are a combination of soft faceted snow and thin breakable wind slab. Gold Chord SE 5000'.
1/23 Old wind slab and dry loose sluff on the Pinnacle from the past week W 4800-5000'.
1/23 Breakable old winds slabs 1-2" thick exist in isolated locations. Gold Chord SE 4800'
1/23 Cavity hoar off trail near the Farside on the way up to the Pinnacle
1/24 Bulletproof wind sculpted surfaces exist at the top of peak 4068'.
1/24 Firm and awful riding conditions exist on the ESE aspect of Frostbite @ 3500' where winds scoured and cross-loaded snow surfaces.
Small wind slab in the Farside SE 4600', likely occurred sometime in the last 3-4 days.
Small wind slabs W 4000' btw Nosebleed and Airbag Alley below Microdot. Likely occurred over the last couple days.