Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Nose Bleed

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

IMB to Microdot to Nose Bleed and back.

 

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

14:00
Overcast, ceiling @ 9,000'
At 3500'-4000', light ESE winds with some stronger gusts, ridgelines had visible pluming and flagging
28F @ 4k'
Incoming storm clouds

Snow surface

At 4000': wind effect and scouring on SE. West had loading patterns with variable pillows of stiffer snow mixed with pockets of soft powder, consistent with moderate to strong winds.
Warm, rounded grains, decent glide.

Snowpack

At mid to upper elevations, 3000-5000', Wind slab formation on West to North, 4-12" deep, upside down, 1 F hardness over Fist new snow/partially settled snow. Stubborn to unreactive. Isolated, localized cracking on steep slopes 40 degrees+. No collapsing observed.
Warm weather and lack of persistent grains at new/old snow interfaces has allowed for rapid increases in stability for recent wind slabs. However, winds remained strong today, conditions are rapidly changing, and fresh wind slabs formed today will likely be sensitive for the next 24 hours. . Be extremely cautious as conditions are rapidly changing.

Photos & Video
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