No cracking, collapsing or recent avalanches were observed today.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: IM to Road Run to Bonsai Trees (Mile 10)
Goals of the day were to assess basal facets in multiple elevations, determine whether bulletproof snow surfaces have softened, and find good quality low density snow in a protected location. Old firm wind slab snow surfaces have faceted -ever so slightly- and are covered with a couple inches of new snow. Variable conditions still exist in most locations.
Observer Comments
Weather
2" new snow in the past couple days.
Calm wind today.
Temps @ 12pm
20degF @ 4500'
25degF @ 3550'
25degF @ 2700'
Snow surface
2" of new snow made a significant difference in riding conditions today!
Snow surfaces near IM at 3500' have 2" of new snow on firm and breakable crust.
Snow surfaces on the road run from 2500' to 1500' were bulletproof moguls with "little to none" new snow to be found.
Snow surfaces from Mile 10/Bonsai trees 1500' up to the bench below Frostbite at 2600' consisted of new snow on a faceted wind crust, breakable crust, and low density snow in and near the willows.
Snowpack
see pits
This pit is more representative of the snowpack. We did not have any propagation in the basal facets. This location is also deeper and it will be more challenging and unlikely to trigger the weak layer.
1.11.23 Arkose ridge with a little more coverage making it harder to see old avalanches.
1.11.23 This photo shows 2-3" of ski pen on the skin track.
1.11.23 A couple inches of new snow hides the rocks well!
This pit is not super representative of what we have been seeing. However, it shows that in isolated locations we are seeing propagation in our pits. This location is shallower and lacks the firm wind slab that exists nearly everywhere else.