Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Lower Eldorado/Road Obs

Date:
Observer:
Andrew Dennis
Route & General Observations

 

Skinned up Lower Eldorado Bowl. Dug a pit to examine new/old snow interface and density changes within new snow. Took pictures of widespread loose wet , wet slab,storm slab, and persistent avalanches. Some storm slabs appeared to fail mid storm while others appeared to fail shortly after snowfall ceased.

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

Widespread recent loose wet and storm slab avalanches at mid and high elevations on every aspect. Known deep persistent slab problem. Recent loading with 12 in of snow with 1.0 in SWE. Witnessed roller balls and loose wet activity on steeper mid elevation E facing slopes at around 1030

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

IM Weather Station:
2020-04-14 10:00 30.6F Light and Variable Winds
2020-04-14 11:00 30.6F
2020-04-14 12:00 30.6F

Marmot Weather Station:
Apr 14th 10:00 am 34.9F 3-7mph winds from E
Apr 14th 11:00 am 38.3F 3-7mph winds from SW
Apr 14th 12:00 pm 38F 6-14mph winds from S

Snow surface

According to IM Snotel 12 in of snow with 1.0 in SWE fell in the last storm cycle. Rain line appeared to be somewhere around the 16 Mile Ski Run Bottom Lot. Rain runnels were evident in the snowpack at the bottom of the 16 Mile Road Runs.

Snow surface when starting the tour was a 10cm thick breakable crust (around 10am). By end of tour (12 noon) east facing slopes were soft with wet snow present. Large Pin Wheels and roller balls were easy to initiate on steep East facing slopes. Sun protected areas still held the breakable crust.

Interested to hear if higher elevation North facing slopes were holding powder snow??

Snowpack

Lower Eldo Bowl
3800ft ENE 30 degree slope

ECTP22
CTM Q2

Both failures were about 30cm down above a P hard MF crust. Grains sitting on crust looked to be rounds and decomposed PP. See attached photo for picture of slab.

Where we dug the snow was at least 450cm deep!

Photos & Video
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DSC09155  

Lodge Run and Rae Wallace Slabs  

Large natural Lodge Run, Marmot  

Hatch Peak  

thin slab on Microdot  

Punk Spines  

IMG-5307  

E/NE 3800'  

Location
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