| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Road Obs
Snowmachined (as state parks employee) from Independence Mine down to Fishhook Lot to put in the trail corridor and drove down to Archangel trailhead to look for recent avalanches after the New Years’ storms. Widespread small loose dry avalanches were observed on on all aspects on steep slopes above 3000′. Yesterday’s 10″ of snow looks to have fallen with little wind in Independence Bowl; however, the new snow is noticeably wind affected along Arkose Ridge, the Sunnyside of Hatch, and Peak 4068.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
Widespread small loose dry avalanches observed on all aspects on steep slopes above 3000'. Although these avalanches did not entrain much snow, they were far running.
Sluffing/small loose dry avalanches noted from ski tracks on steep slopes on SE aspect of Microdot.
Weather
Clear skies, no precipitation, calm to light winds, and temperatures in the single digits.
Snow surface
10" of low density snow in Independence Mine Bowl. The new snow is wind affected along Arkose Ridge, Peak 4068 and the Sunnyside of Hatch. In windward areas rocks are exposed in places and wind pillows and texturing are noticeable in leeward areas.
Snowpack
Along the snowmachine trail being put in by AK State Parks from Fishhook Lot to Hatcher Pass Lodge and connecting up to Hatcher Pass road, the snowpack often feels bottomless with no base. In these areas boot penetration is knee to neck deep (in wind drifted areas). In some areas a slab can be found beneath the new snow that is sometimes supportable.
Sluffing (loose dry) off ski tracks on SE aspect of Microdot
Natural loose dry avalanches W aspect of Marmot
Wind texturing on Arkose Ridge
Despite calmer winds in Independence Mine Bowl yesterday, the wind stripped the SE aspect on the Sunnyside of Hatch Peak.
Mid storm debris on Peak 4068 above the common uptrack on NNE aspect
Natural loose dry avalanches below the Death Traverse off Gold Cord Peak on SE aspect
SW shoulder of Marmot