| Trigger | Snowboarder | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Hard Slab | Aspect | West Southwest |
| Elevation | 3800ft | Slope Angle | 38deg |
| Crown Depth | 10in | Width | 25ft |
| Vertical Run | 60ft |
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: Marmot SW ridge to mid rib decent
Skinned up Marmot South ridge and traveled along the Marmot ridgeline to about 4,000 ft then descended the “mid-rib”. Observed widespread cracking and whumping in previously wind loaded pockets. Slabs that exist are soft and discontinuous, but just cohesive enough to act as a slab over the weak, ugly, depth hoar/melt freeze crust sandwich. Some upper elevation areas near ridgelines previously received stronger winds and have stiffer, thicker (up to 20 inch) slabs that are more consequential. No new naturals observed. Most avys from last week are dusted over and not visible anymore.
Avalanche Details
Marmot SW face HS-AR-R2-D1.5-O, 5-20 inches deep x 60ft wide x 400 feet long
Marmot SW face HS-ARy/r-R2-D1-O, 10 inches deep x 20 feet wide x 60 feet long
Marmot SW face HS-ARy-R2-D1-O, 10 inches deep x 20 feet wide x 60 feet long
Mostly smaller human triggered avalanches, some of which appear to have been triggered from a distance (remotely) and sympathetically from other avalanches. These avalanches likely occurred on Dec 21. Their sensitivity appears to have changed, becoming more stubborn to trigger today.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Observer Comments
Recent (12/21) human triggered and remotely triggered avys on SW/W faces on Marmot 4000 feet. Significant cracking/whumping (10-30 feet wide) on route up.
Weather
Clear, cold 2 deg. F.
Snow surface
Surface hoar (1mm), near surface facets, and decomposing grains.
Snowpack
See pit attachment.
Marmot Dec 21 SS-AS-R1D1.5-O
Marmot dec 21 SS-ASr-R1D1-O
Marmot dec 22 2016 crown profile