Small Dry Loose on NE of Government in steep rocky terrain.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Government Peak
We toured from Fishhook parking lot to Wimp Bowl. After reaching wimp bowl, we toured along the ridge and descended the sunny side and gained the ridge of government peak. After reaching 3700′ feet on government peak, we descended towards Skeetawk.
Observer Comments
Weather
Cold, and calm throughout the day, the only clouds we observed were over the Chugach.
Wimp Bowl 3900' @11:45 Light winds, few clouds, -4 F degrees, no precipitation.
Near Frostbite weather station 2700' @ 13:30 calm, few clouds, -8 F degrees, no precipitation
Snow surface
Snow surface was a mixed bag today. At 2800' on the up-track towards wimp bowl, wind effected snow was observed. Near ridge tops old melt freeze crust and some vegetation was exposed from previous winds. Old winds slabs up to 1finger hard were observed near most ridge tops. In protected areas soft snow was abundant with ski pen reaching boot top in most areas. NSF was observed through out the tour.
Snowpack
During out tour we dug two separate pits. In both bits we had failure and propagation on facets around 30-40cm from the surface. Old wind slabs sitting on top of facets was the weak interface identified in both pits.
Wimp Bowl 3900' 38 degree slope, NE
HS 220
ECTP12 on facets 40cm from surface
Government Peak 3700' 40 degree slope, NE
HS 140
ECTP12 @ 10CM on facets below old windslab
ECTP18 @ 30CM on facets below old windslab
Old wind slabs