No recent avalanches, cracking, or collapsing were observed today.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Stairstep- Arkose Ridge
Toured from Mile 12 at 1500′ up to 4500′ on Stairstep to assess snow surface conditions prior to the anticipated wind event, perform instability tests, and find good powder. No red flags were observed today.
Observer Comments
Weather
HP has not received any new snow since 2/24.
Winds were surprisingly calm to light today on Arkose ridge. Marmot station @4500' reported light winds from the ENE throughout the day while winds cranked in the valley.
Temperatures were cold today and never made it above freezing at 4500'. It was a good day to keep moving. IM at 3500' reported 2deg F while Frostbite @ 2700' was a balmy 8deg F.
Snow surface
Snow surfaces are a mixture of new thin wind slabs, textured powder, and amazing low density snow on many aspects in protected locations. Many ridges are scoured down to wind crusts from 2/22 or old Oct/Nov melt freeze crusts. Cold temperatures over the past few days have promoted faceting of snow surfaces. Snow conditions have improved dramatically from the new snow 2/22 and 2/24.
Snowpack
See pit photo
2.28 Some old avalanche debris seen to the north of Stairstep and Punkspines
2.28 Super thin and shalllow in scoured windward locations as seen here with the 2/22 wind slab sitting on the Oct/Nov melt freeze crust/facets at the ground.
2.28 Super thin new wind slabs exist in specific locations
2.28 Corniced ridge at the top of Stairstep
IMG_1676
2.28 Winds cranking in the Chugach as seen from calm Arkose ridge
2.28 Stairstep-Arkose ridge 4100'
2.28.24