No cracking, collapsing, whumping today. One person observed a 10 ft shooting crack on 3/30 on lower Presidents combined with a soft whump. Observed one natural on Arkose Ridge 4000' N facing likely from 3/29 or 3/30, SS-N-D1.5-O. No other natural or human triggered avalanches observed today.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Marmot Mountain and midrib
Travelled up Marmot, across ridge, and down mid-rib. Dug pits along the way. 5-6 inches new snow from 3/28 and 3/29 has turned into cream cheese below 3500′. Challenging traveling conditions and not super enjoyable. Low visibility.
Observer Comments
Weather
5-6 inches new snow 3/28, 3/29. No new precip in over 24 hrs. No rain yet!
Wind gusts 15-30 mpg ESE and SSE 3/28-3/31. Calm winds today.
Warm temps 28 deg F at 1400 at 4500'.
Snow surface
Variable. New snow at low elevation almost wet enough to make snowball. New snow at mid elevation caking up on my skis. New snow at upper elevation formed wind slabs on leeward aspects. Conditions include : thick new snow, crusts, wind slabs, punching through slabs to basal facets- changing every few feet.
Snowpack
See pit
Overall: poor structure, low energy,
Most tests failed on NSF under crust 6-8" deep, aka the "mid-pack persistent slab"
Marmot mid rib pit profile