Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Government Peak

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

We skied three different runs on 4068. One Southern, Wimp Bowl, and a Northern into the Valley of Sin. The crust very much in evidence a week ago at (approx) 2500′ appears to have degraded (faceted). In most areas (with exceptions discussed later) the slab/weak layer combo has morphed into all weak layer.All aspects have developed surface hoar of intermediate size (3 mm). Southerns all the way up to 4068′ had a thin sun crust under a few (5 or so) cm of faceted snow. The Southern slope had the most variation in snow quality with areas of wind effected snow and isolated pockets of wind slab. No red flags were observed connected to these pockets, though an obvious wind slab/facets combo on steeper slope angles should be avoided. Wimp Bowl had great ski quality with consistent powder over a good base on moderate slope angles. The Northern also had excellent ski quality and consisted primarily of facets with no red flags exhibited.

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

Clear, cold, but inverted slightly and much warmer in the sun.

Snow surface

Facets with a growing layer of surface hoar.

Snowpack

No pits, no formal tests.