Rapid Warming and Wind Gusts from previous days.
Heavy Winds throughout the day along with wind slabs on E and N Aspects.
Wet Slides on SE Aspect on the entire length of Snow Slide Gulch. Runnels present below slide
No distinct shooting cracks
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Lost Couloir, Granite Mountain
Started our tour from Ind. Mine and ascended groomed nordic track until Mine. Branched off skin track at Yurt and approached boulders below the couloir.
Conucted Hardness Profile and searched for Ice/Crust Layer from previous week’s observation.
Weather: Overcast skies throughout entire day with blue sky trying to break through.
ENE Wind was consistent at 5-15 mph with gusts approaching 35-45mph sporadically.
Observer Comments
Weather
10:00am Independence Mine lot-Overcast skies, light precipitation, 5-15mph -2 C
12:00pm ENE Winds from 5-15mph with gusts at 30mph around 4,250ft. -1C
1:00pm Overcast with pockets of blue sky, wind consistent with guts at 45mph, pocketed for periods of time in Lost Couloir, Granite Mountain -4C
Snow surface
Snow Surface: Mix of Rimed Ice particles and Graupel, lots of spindrift from upper elevations due to wind.
WInd slabs present through skin track and boot penetration varied between 20cm-60cm.
Snowpack
Hardness Profile: Informal
12:00pm
EL 4,250 ft
ENE Aspect
36 Degree Slope
HS 180cm (Assessed 180cm-90cm from surface)
Refer to photo for Hardness Profile
Hardness Profile
Consistently 15-20mph with 45 MPH wind gusts over Bullion Mountain