We observed a few old D1 wind slabs from 2/19-20 in the Lodge Run and Martin Mine a few small wet loose from the past week of unseasonably warm weather.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Marmot - South ridge to weather station
Toured up the South ridge of Marmot to assess the distribution and hardness of new crusts that formed over the past week during the unseasonably warm weather. We found crusts up to 3800′ buried by 2-3″ of new snow in some locations and scoured down to tundra in others. It probably ranked as one of the 20 worst conditions days at Hatchers with firm bulletproof sastrugi at upper elevation combined with barely edgeable firm slick crusts at mid to low elevation, both being the biggest hazards of the day. Bring your ski crampons! We de-rimed the weather station so we can accurately read the current 58mph winds, yikes!
Avalanche Details
Observer Comments
No cracking, whumping or recent avalanches were observed today.
Weather
2-3" new snow this week.
Winds tapered this morning after strong winds over the past 15+ hours.
Light to moderate winds today on Marmot at 4500' increasing to SE 30 gusting in the 40's by the afternoon.
Temperatures finally cooled down after a week of unseasonably warm temps.
Temps reported in the teens on Marmot @ 4500' today, low 20'sF at IM @3550' and upper 20'sF at Frostbite @2700'.
Snow surface
We observed firm melt freeze crusts up to 3800' with some exposed and others buried by 1-2" thick 4F hard wind slabs.
Travel was so firm and slick in isolated locations that we booted up the last third of the south ridge of Marmot.
Variable thin stubborn shallow wind slabs from 2/19-20 with minimal cracking on SW to N aspects were observed today.
Large cornices that have been building throughout the last several wind events are overhung and stubborn and hard to break off.
Many ridges are scoured down to tundra.
No powder exists above 3500'. Rimed surfaces are prevalent at upper elevation.
Snowpack
No propagation in pits today
Hand shears failed with moderate force > wind slabs sitting on melt freeze crusts formed 2-11-2/19
Small natural wind slab near the Lodge Run on Marmot from 2/19-20
Eldorado is @#$$%^&
Martin Mine- small natural wind slab from 2/19-20
Holy anti-tracks on the anti-powder pimple
Thin wind slabs from 2/19-20 were barley breakable and didn't move
South ridge of Marmot with shiny smooth crust bed surfaces
Might as well boot pack. Today was a day for those who like to just get exercise.
Dog ears blowing in the wind indicate 44mph gusts from the southeast. Labrador ears are more susceptible to strong wind than a husky.
Cleaning off an insane amount of rime from the Marmot weather station