Scattered to few clouds, with warm temperatures, and calm to light winds made this early spring tour feel closer to summer.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Peak 4068
Toured up the southeast face of peak 4068 to observe the moist surface conditions, and search for preserved powder on the northerly aspects during the descent. As expected the southerlies had 10-15cm of moist snow, and the northerly descent was variable, containing near-surface facets, wind slabs, sastrugi, and a few decent powder turns.
Weather
Snow surface
10-15cm moist snow throughout most of the ascent purposely thrown rollerballs did not seem to pick up more mass.
Boot penetration measured 18cm in moist locations.
Sastrugi @3800’ E aspect
Variable wind board on the northerly descent. While it had poor ski quality, the layer did not show any obvious signs of instability.
Diurnal facets on the summit ridge @4000
Snowpack
Lower 4068: @2580’/E aspect/30° slope angle/HS 180cm/ @13:14
ECTX
Melt freeze crust observed 50cm down.
Snow stability in this location proved very good with no persistent grains within the top 100cm of the snowpack and the ECT showing high strength and low propagation potential.
Sastrugi on the final push to the summit
Large wind lip by Wimp Bowl
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