Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Gold Mint Tour/Point of Interest/Two Lakes

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Toured from Gold Mint up to Two Lakes Valley. Skied N-NW aspects. 2000-4000ft elevations.

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)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

We observed shooting cracks while skiing and in/around our skin track. In wind loaded areas the slab was approximately 8-12in deep and 4F hardness. We toured in a relatively low angle/protected location and at mid elevations. Evidence of high winds and snow transport in upper elevations.

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

0900 at Marmot: 14 degrees F 14-25mph SE winds
1400 at Marmot: 19 degrees F 30-63mph SE winds !!!

Storm Total: Approximately 9-12 in

Blowing snow. Big warming trend from prior days.

No snow fall during our tour this morning.

Snow surface

Powder. Good powder skiing. Deep trail breaking. Isolated areas of prior wind crusts were still felt but very occasionally. Windslabs were still soft (4F) on these aspects and elevations.

Snowpack

No formal pits or stability tests performed.

Quick hand shears reveal:

1. storm slab instabilities in new snow (small density changes?)

2. poorly bonded wind slab (4F+) up to a 12in deep in wind loaded areas

Photos & Video
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