Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Gold Cord basin

Date:
Observer:
Steve Kruse
Route & General Observations

Warming event with above freezing temperatures to at least 4100 feet, where we turned around. A melt-freeze crust is forming on the surface, 1-2 inches thick. Very wet snow at the gate elevation.

Red Flags
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Observer Comments

Rapid warming. This may stabilize things long term. The new crust may be a sliding surface depending on what happens next.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

38 degrees at Independence mine, above freezing at 4100 feet, new storm snow forming melt-freeze crust

Snow surface

Melt-freeze crust forming to at least 4100 feet

Snowpack

Ski pole test shows new, soft melt/freeze crust 1-2" thick forming, then moist snow below to the last wind-slab layer