Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Hatch Peak

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Followed the Hatcher Pass road to the pass. We ascended the north ridge to Hatch Peak, before skiing the north east aspect from the peak. Ski quality was v excellent.

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

Many recent avalanches, primarily on solar aspects (east, south, and west), both slab and sluff. Beyond the recent avalanches the only other sign of instability was the typical plethora of people obviously not caring standard avalanche rescue gear. We live in the future people. Gear up already!

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

Clear skies, ~30* Freedom units, no wind

Snow surface

Snow surface was fist hard, dry, new snow from Thursdays storm

Snowpack

Snowpack was generally right-side-up. Numerous hand pits found two layers of concern. 1) buried surface hoar layer, assumed to mark the new snow/old snow interface 20-30cm from the surface. 2) a melt freeze layer 60-70cm from the surface. No reaction from the melt freeze crust was found in these informal test. The surface hoar layer did react in several of the tests, with propagation potential in a few. Surface hoar layer seemed to be decomposing in all pits.

Photos & Video
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