Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location:

Date:

January 22, 2017 4:19pm

Observer:

Alaska Avalanche School Level 2 Meyer

Route & General Observations

Alaska Avalanche Level 2 – 3 different groups toured Gold Cord Mine area, area above Independence Mine and Marmot

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?	No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?	Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?	No

Observer Comments

New snow, localized whumphing on 25-30 degree slopes.

Weather & Snow Characteristics

Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.

Weather

Obscure skies. Low visibility. Light snow in a.m. progressing to overcast with light winds from the north. 12F.

Snow surface

Smooth

Snowpack

-At 3400ft on SSW slope of Marmot we found 70cm of unconsolidated snow on ice crust on ground with low propagation potential. We got rowdy on the powdy.
-In Gold Cord Mine area on N aspect we found poor structure with moderate strength. Our layer of concern was the basal facet failures in ECT & PST tests.
-Above Independence Mine we found storm snow less reactive than expected and depth hoar persistent with moderate strength, moderate propagation potential and poor structure.

Photos & Video

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Location

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