Trigger | Unknown | Remote Trigger | Unknown |
Avalanche Type | Unknown | Aspect | Unknown |
Elevation | unknown | Slope Angle | unknown |
Crown Depth | unknown | Width | unknown |
Vertical Run | unknown |
It seems like our April winter revival has shifted back to true spring. But while solar input–and now crusts–have been abundant since 22″ of snow on 4/12, temperatures have not actually been getting above freezing (see Marmot weather data). While norths have been frequently skied, you might have noticed that there are not a lot of tracks on south aspects. We went out to assess snowpack and ski quality on Marmot’s WSW shots as this season’s snowpack paradigm shifts more to spring. We then hopped on snowmachines to check out Hatcher Pass proper and the Willow side for more observations.
Trigger | Unknown | Remote Trigger | Unknown |
Avalanche Type | Unknown | Aspect | Unknown |
Elevation | unknown | Slope Angle | unknown |
Crown Depth | unknown | Width | unknown |
Vertical Run | unknown |
Several slab avalanches have recently occurred (~24 hours) off of Government Peak NE. We could not confirm if they were natural or skier triggered. At least several looked to be natural dry loose sluffs that stepped down to a firm, uniform persistent weak layer where it was easy to observe crowns and smooth bed surfaces. The largest (D2) of these avalanches is lookers' right/further northwest.
Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Recent slab avalanches (D1-D2) observed on Northeast Government.
Temperatures felt cold in the morning at 1030. Marmot Wx station read 19* at 1000. Although solar input softened snow surfaces, cold temperatures made for a delayed warming effect. Sunny to broken skies by the late afternoon.
Snow surfaces are variable. West was a smattering of supportive and breakable crusts with rounding facets below. These ranged from 2-3" to almost one foot in thickness (see photo). We were too early for corn skiing, although true souths seemed promising by 1200. The upper snowpack was moist by 1300. We did see a party ski S/SE on Marmot and it looked pretty fun by 1500. Norths are hanging in there in areas that have not been impacted by the brief moderate SSE winds we received in the last 24 hours.
Our structure remains in transition. On solar aspects, we observed strong, cohesive solar melt freeze crusts on top of largely rounds and rounding facets. The lower pack (20cm to ground) was rounding, healing depth hoar. This structure does not appear immediately concerning (ECTX, CTN), but may present as an issue as we move towards warmer temperatures without overnight freezes over several days.
4.16.24 pit Marmot midrib
4.16 New slabs from the last 24 hours on Government . 6-8 new slabs were observed today. Photo- Andy Dennis
4.16 Numerous tracks on 4068' despite good snow being harder to find
4.16 Slab avalanche on Punk spines , likely occurred in last 24-48 hours
4.16 English Labrador hardness and supportable melt freeze crusts on E thru W aspects until mid day
4.16 Firm uptrack on mid-rib made for better boot packing conditions
4.16 One #$*^! of a melt-freeze crust! Marmot Mid-Rib S 4000'