| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: East Ridge 4068
Plan was to get out an access the snow pack and keep the angles low for the day. Skinned from Skeetawk up to 4068 via the low angle east ridge. Skinning up on our first lap we triggered a LARGE collapse at 3800 ft on the east ridge off of 4068. Cracks were visible in the snow +200 ft away from where we triggered the collapse.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
Had several collapses around 3500 ft on the east ridge of 4068. Another LARGE collapse at 3800 ft. Cracks in the snow were visible +200 ft away from where we triggered the collapse. It was clear that if the slope had been any steeper we would have triggered a large avalanche. Snow pack at the collapse was approximately 60 cm deep on the ridge where the wind scoured ridge was transitioning to wind deposited snow.
Weather
Clear skies, cold, no wind.
Snow surface
Variable. Generally new snow on heavily wind rippled snow and sastrugi 1 cm to 80 cm deep.
Snowpack
Dug a hand pit at the collapse estimated snow profile from the top down: Top 10 cm fresh fist hard snow, 25 cm of 1 finger wind board, 10 cm of fist hard facets (culprit layer), 1 cm crust. 15 cm of 1 finger bonded facets.
Cracks from the collapse
Cracks from the collapse
Cracks from the collapse
Cracks from the collapse
Cracks from the collapse
Cracks from the collapse