Warming of snow surface by mid-day, with wet-loose being a problem on steep terrain.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Hatch-Willow-Valley of Sin loop
Tour to the summit of Hatch, dropped into Willow Creek Drainage, popping up and over to get into the Valley of Sin, then to finish of on the north side of pt. 4068. (plus a fun creek crossing)
Observer Comments
Weather
Broken to scattered skies.
Warm air temps.
Light to moderate winds from SSE. Active transport of snow along the snow surface observed around noon in upper willow creek drainage.
Mid elevations were above freezing by mid day (2pm), as evidenced by shaded snow becoming moist.
Snow surface
We observed a breakable suncrust on all sunlit aspects, but found dreamy pow in high northerlies. As per above, mid elevation snow surface was becoming moist by mid-day, capable of producing wet slides in steep terrain.