Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Hatch Common

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Standard uptrack $1000 run to Hatch Common.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Observer Comments

In the only place we found the potential for slab avalanche possibility we saw no signs of instability. This was on the North ridge from Hatcher Pass proper up Hatch Peak where previous winds had drifted snow and created soft slabs on the surface.

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

11am-1pm: 31-33°F at 3500', 27-28°F at 4500'
No wind, calm
Overcast>broken skies

Snow surface

7" New, low density, Fist hard, dry snow

Snowpack

In our observations today we saw a generally stable snowpack lacking any major flaws.

Moist rounds (mid elevation) and MFC (upper elevations) near the ground. Dryer, weaker snow in the midpack with some faceting. 15-20cm of low density new snow at surface.

Moist snow near the ground, and a generally a warm ground surface, has allowed for creep and glide cracks and avalanches. We saw glide cracks on multiple aspects around 4000'. Three in Martin Mine had released (D1.5-2) prior to the last storm snow (Oct 21).
HS at 4000' was 50-60cm

Photos & Video
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