Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Independence Mine / NW Aspect of Marmot

Date:
Observer:
Kakiko Ramos-Leon
Route & General Observations

Went for a tour aiming to get up the bench between N aspect of Marmot and Microdot, while opening track, we had a lot of whoomphing and propagation, with a remote “slide” compressed in a small slope.
Turned around and went to have fun in other slope by the mine.

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

Whumphing while approaching and opening track. Propagating underneath.
A 32º slope had a collapse into a 21º convexity, it didn't propagate as slide, but created shooting cracks and compressed snow in the lower angle.

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

Sunny and clear skies, no wind.
2 to 0 º C Air Temps.

I got cloudy later in the day.

Snow surface

Supportable crust on top of sugar at the very base.
Early season bed surface.

Snowpack

Informal pole tests. No snow pit in that route.

Photos & Video
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Shooting cracks  

Collapse slope, triggered remotely while approaching.  

View from the area of the collapse.  

Location
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