Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Eldorado

Date:
Observer:
A. Barker Professional
Route & General Observations

Road observations- 2-3 day old natural wind slab avys from wind spikes on Fri-Sun. Observed on leeward aspects at upper elevation. New wet-loose activity observed today on south and southeast aspects at mid and upper elevation. Overall- good stability.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger Foot PenetrationRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Wet Loose SnowAspect Southeast
Elevation 4700ftSlope Angle 36deg
Crown DepthunknownWidthunknown
Vertical Rununknown  
Avalanche Details

Two wet loose sluffs were observed today. One was human triggered on Monday on the upper right up-track to Eldorado bowl. Saturated snow in gully side wall. Second one was triggered by guy at top of slope, likely foot penetration. Size D1-2

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

Wet-loose activity on south, southeast aspects at mid and upper elevation.
Old wind slab avys on leeward aspects 2-3 days old- Arkose, Delia, 4068'

Weather & Snow Characteristics
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Weather

No new snow this week. No wind today. Warm temps ranged from 32-43 deg at 3500' today- felt like 45 deg at upper elevation with the sun effect.

Snow surface

Variable powder, crust, sun softened surfaces, wind slab.

Snowpack

Dug pit on NW aspect CT4 10cm down on wind slab, CT24 40cm down on wind slab on persistent slab, both resistant planar 3600 ft. Wind slab shows good friction to underlying layers, is patchy, and non-continuous.

Photos & Video
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Warm temps and snow sticking to skins  

Wind slab- patchy and variable 4-6" thickness  

Human triggered wet loose - southeast 4500'  

Wet loose . West 3500'  

Wet loose triggered on uptrack 3500' SE  

Location
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