No new snow since 2/22
Calm to light winds from the ESE today
14-17 deg F at 4500' , 15-20 deg F today at 3550'
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Sunnyside of Gov't/Seldom Seen
Toured from Skeetawk up to peak 4600 aka Sunnyside of Gov’t in the Seldom Seen zone. No signs of instability observed today. The snowpack has settled 16″ since the Valentines and Presidents storms. Near surface facets, surface hoar and grauple were observed on top of the most recent surface drizzle crust. Ski conditions were excellent!
Weather
Snow surface
Graupel was observed on the surface from 1500ft up to 4600' today. Near surface facets and some surface hoar were observed above 3800' . A recent .25-.5" thick (approx 1 cm) drizzle crust exists from 1500 ft up to 4600' ft .This crust is brittle and does not affect riding quality.
Snowpack
The depth of the culprit weak layers ie the Dec 26 rain crust and Nov facets are so deep that your stability tests will most likely be inconclusive. Just know that the snowpack structure is beyond awful. Any future medium to large loading events (wind, snow, intense warm up) will result in another avalanche cycle. We only dug 130 cm deep. HS was 200cm. See pit
Peak 4600'-02-Mar
W Marmot natural and Microdot natural in background from 2.18-21
Arkose natural 2.18
Waterfall path 2.18
The entire face of Microdot went naturally 2.18. We've never seen it go this big!
Gold Chord natural and Cable valley natural from 2.18