Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Uptrack to Hatch Peak at base of April Bowl

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Traveled up the the road side of the gully N of $1000 run. Crossed the gully and cut a few rollovers- able to get sloughing the width of skis, but no propagation. Continued over to the standard $1000 run up track.

Obs. collected during an Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol backcountry patrol. (A Havel, J Kurtak, J Bressler, A Holman)

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Air Temp = 22 degrees F. Off and on wind, but no snow transport at the time. Brilliantly blue skies except for a period when fog rolled in.

Snow surface

Wind effected snow, but still soft in most areas. 1-2mm surface hoar in sheltered areas; occasionally larger feathers.
Great skiing.

Snowpack

See attached pit profile and photos for a few snow pack details and test results.
Dug a pit at 4232' HS 140cm CT12 113 Q2. ECTN14 113. 113cm = new/old snow interface.
Down at ~2800' we were able to get a small slab of 3/21/2020 snow to release on a 50 degree (top) test slope

Photos & Video
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