| Recent Avalanches? | No |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Japanese Trees
Toured through the Japanese trees to check out reports of large avalanches. Low density snow was found in the trees but quickly disappeared on open wind effected slopes.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
A large collapse was felt on stiff pencil hard wind slab at 2200'. Signs of old shooting cracks during the previous storm and wind event could be seen throughout the tour.
Weather
Broken sky throughout the day
11:30 1871' No precipitation, light winds from the east, temp -9C
13:00 2630' No precipitation, calm winds light gusts from the east, temp -8C
Snow surface
The snow surface had some themes today. With wind effected snow found higher and low density snow below tree line. Below tree and alder line low density snow was plentiful, with ski penetration around 20 cm and boot pen up to 60cm. Above 2000' it quickly turned to wind effected snow, with pencil hard wind slab and sastrugi widespread. In the sea of satrugi and wind slab, small pockets of 4F snow no longer than a ski length could be found. in some areas raised ski tracks could be seen. Grauple was found on top of most of the softer snow surfaces.
Snowpack
While touring through the trees old shooting cracks could be observed and warranted further investigation. Above tree line evidence of wind slab avalanches was wide spread, with an old D2.5 avalanche observed and several D 1 small in the surrounding areas.
Pit 1
1870' 15 degree slope, East Aspect
HS 70
ECTP12 on 3-4mm facets 50cm from the surface on top of a thin melt freeze crust
PST 15/100 END on the same layer.
Pit 2
2630' East 21 Degree Slope
HS 160
ECTN14 on decomposing fragments 30cm from the surface
ECTP22 on density change between wind slabs 50cm from surface.
Profile from pit 1
Old shooting cracks found on the up track below 1700'