Small, Localized cracking in wind drifted snow 1" to 8" deep. NW aspects at 5500'+
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Lane Glacier Area
Hiked from the end of Archangel Road to the Lane Glacier. Dry, running shoe conditions to the old Lane Hut location, approx. 3800′. Lightly dusted boulder fields with a fresh coat of 2″ of new snow above 4000′, on approach to old Lane Glacier. Verglas on boulders. Good skiing conditions on old Lane Glacier.
Observer Comments
Weather
Clear in the AM with increasing cloud cover through the day.
No precipitation.
Snow surface
2" of low density new snow sitting on 2 thin crusts over summer snow. Summer snow was firm and provided a base, varying from 2 inches to 2 feet in depth and residing in the shady, northern aspects at 4900-6000' in the location of the old Lane Glacier.
Snowpack
A couple new inches over a supportable base where old summer snow exists. No cracking, collapsing, or avalanches. No significant avalanche concerns.
Biggest hazard is shallow coverage, rocks, and traveling through slippery boulder fields with hidden moats and holes.
Just above old Lane Hut location, approx. 4300'
View from Lane
Top of Lane
Lane Glacier Area, NW, 5800' -drifted pockets of unreactive to stubborn wind slab
Lane Glacier Area
Lane Glacier Area