We did hear some whumphing when we stepped off the skin track. No recent or new avalanches were observed.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Marmot Mid Rib
Standard up track up Marmot. We stopped at the weather station to clean off the rime for more accurate weather readings.
Observer Comments
Weather
We observed an inversion at the beginning of our tour. There was a cloud layer that was slowly advancing between 1100 and 1200 at ~3,000’ that dissipated by 1300. After the inversion dissipated there was mostly clear skies. -4.6°C at 1:00pm.
Snow surface
New snow observed on top of old wind affected rounds (the Christmas wind event). We did not find the top layer drizzle crusts at this location. Riding quality was good in protected areas away from wind effected snow.
Snowpack
We stopped at several locations on the way up for hand shears and pole probe tests. We could not find the drizzle crusts on the upper layers of the snow pack and not reactivity in our hand shears. We had no reactivity on the upper crust layers in the snowpack. We dug a formal pit on Marmot Mid Rib.
Snowpit Location: Marmot Mid Rib
HS: 100 cm
Elevation: 3868’
Aspect: S
Slope: 29 degrees
Test Results: ECTP23 on interface between the wind effected rounds and new storm
snow.
Snowpit profile at Marmot Mid Rib
Sunnyside of Hatch
Wind affected snow on powder pimple
Cleaning rime fro Marmot Weather Station
Rime removed form the Marmot Weather Station