No red flags observed. There was debris on the N aspect of the ridge, around 3200', age unknown (covered in new snow).
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: NE Ridge of Government Peak
Toured up NE ridge of Government Peak from Mile 10.6. Zero visibility, fantastic snow.
Observer Comments
Weather
Snowing s-1 the entire time, wind calm to light / variable direction, cold temps - maybe low teens at the truck, single digits up high. Mountains completely obscured by cloud cover most of the time.
Snow surface
Approx. 25 cm of new snow over crusts of varying thickness. Extremely low density "blower" powder at the surface. Amazing skiing!
Snowpack
Pole probe tests showed a generally right side up snowpack with the exception of the weak, sugary basal facets and depth hoar. In some areas there is a layer of buried NSFs between two denser layers, either storm snow or wind slab.
Hand pits failed on basal facets on isolation or with very little force.
Depth of snowpack was quite variable with alpine areas along windward ridgelines scoured down to new snow on tundra.
Dug a pit on the NE aspect of the NE Ridge of Government Peak. Elevation 2824 ft. 20 degree slope.
115
F
90 - CT11 SP, ECTN12
4F
80
P
65 - CT12 SP, ECTP19
1F
32
4F
29 - CTN, ECTX
F
G
Took ECT beyond SWAG parameters to test propagation on basal facets and got propagation after 4 heavy blows outside of test parameters.
Pit wall, NE Ridge Gov Peak, 2824', 20*, ECTP19 down 35