Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Hatch Peak/ridge area - SSE Aspect

Date:
Observer:
Raymond Koleser
Route & General Observations

toured from lot just below fishhook lot up $1000 Run to Hatch Peak ridge. Skied east down ridge and dropped into southern aspect slope.

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)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

There were resent small slides on the lower slopes of Marmot. Small and large collapses were experienced throughout the day on all aspects and elevations. We had a fracture on the slope skied (fortunately the slope did not continue to slide).

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

Sunny with a light breeze. Temps in the mid 20's at 3000' and high teens at 4500'

Snow surface

Snow in the $1000 Run was wind affected and slabby. North aspects going to the ridge were sastrugi and styrofoam like. South aspects off the ridge were wind affected down to the 3200' level. Most snow near the ridge was blown off with rocks sticking up.

Snowpack

No formal pits but numerous hand pits on south slope showed easy shear of newer snow wind slab releasing on either a hard older wind slab with surface hoar or failing on the old snow surface with near surface facets and surface hoar.

Photos & Video
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Recent slides on lower Marmot  

Wind effect and side loading on south aspects off Hatch Pk  

Older slides off of 4068  

Location
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