Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Independence Mine Bowl

Date:

February 4, 2019 3:00pm

Observer:

Galoob / Haffener

Route & General Observations

Had some good visibility to survey the landscape following the Saturday / Sunday storm.

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

Recent storm slab avalanches in Ray Wallace Chutes and east aspect of Skyscraper. Dry loose avalanches in steep channeled terrain on west aspect of Marmot.

Able to human trigger small steep test slopes on east aspects mid-storm on Sunday.

Weather & Snow Characteristics

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

Weather

Wind calm to light from the east. Temps in the mid-20's. Skies progressed from overcast to clear throughout the day.

Snow surface

10.5" (1.17" SWE) storm total new snow measured at Independence Mine. Thin drizzle (?) crust caps the new snow everywhere. Snow surface is noticeably wind affected.

Snowpack

On Sunday, ECTP"0" (failed when placing shovel on top), shovel shears and CTs failing on isolation at new / old interface in crown profile of small test slope avalanches. One ECT propagated under the bed surface on old wind slab over small facets.

Photos & Video

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10.5" of new snow fell over Saturday / Sunday storm. In many places this new snow is sitting over weak faceted snow, and fails easily in some hand pits.