Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Base of "Cross Hill" adjacent to historic Gold Cord Camp

Date:
Observer:
Fred Trimble
Route & General Observations

Adjacent to occupied cabin at historic Gold Cord camp.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger NaturalRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Soft SlabAspect South
Elevation 3900ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown DepthunknownWidth 50ft
Vertical Run 100ft  
Avalanche Details

Soft slab naturally triggered slide that ran approximately 100 vertical feet in two branches. Classification: SS-N-S-R1-D1.5-S

Red Flags
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Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Heavy snow two days ago followed by high winds transporting new snow.

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

Clearing skies and a wind shift the the NW with gusts to 30+ MPH. Temps in the 20sF except during solar-noon where they got up near 32F.

Snow surface

Heavy new wind blown and drifted snow on leeward slopes forming soft slabs.

Snowpack

Late season storm over deep existing snow pack with known persistent weak layers.

Photos & Video
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Overall view of softslab slide showing trigger point and runout zone. South aspect at 3900' ASL. Historic Gold Cord camp at lookers left.  

Close up view of starting zone. Southwest aspect 3900' ASL.  

Close up view of runout zone. South aspect 3900' ASL.  

Shot of wind affected snow surface in Gold Cord Basin. 4000' ASL.  

Snow plume showing wind transported snow at Friendship Pass.  

Snow plumes coming off Murphy Ridge  

Snow plume on summit of Granite Mountain.  

Location
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