Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Marmot Shoulder

Date:
Observer:
Rachel Heath
Route & General Observations

Took standard uptrack to low shoulder of Marmot to assess stability and do some pow farming.

Red Flags
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Observer Comments

No obvious signs of instability.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
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Weather

Light winds, actively snowing, 30 degree temps.

Snow surface

6 inches of new and very dense/high moisture content snow.

Snowpack

Pit located on 25 degree slope on the SW shoulder of Marmot. Snowpack consisted of 6-8 inches of new, high density snow on top of 6 inches of knife-hard crust. Below the knife-hard crust is approximately 3-4 feet of cohesive isothermal/rotten snow. Two column tests were performed, neither produced a result-- no failure during normal test parameters. Both columns fractured (Q2) below the knife-hard crust when a member of the observer's group stomped on the column.

Photos & Video
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Failure below knife hard crust at CTstomp.  

Consistent to the ground with 6in knife hard and 6-8in of high density powder on top.  

Location
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