Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Marmot test slopes to Microdot lowers

Date:
Observer:
Barker Workman Professional
Route & General Observations

Toured up to Marmot lower test slopes and towards Microdot westerly lower slopes. Similar synopsis on NW, S, and W aspects which all include persistent slabs (from wind or storm slab) overlying weak facets on a melt freeze crust.

Overall- poor structure, moderate to high strength, variable to high energy.

Initiated a 150′ by 50′ shooting crack after 3 jumps on my skis on test slope convexity. (Not much force). Crack was 2 feet deep at max and failed on facets on top of the a melt freeze crust. Weak layer varied up to 4 inches thick.

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?No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

No new naturals since Dec 5/6
LARGE shooting crack
Repetative whumphing

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

12" new snow over past week. No new snow since 12/7.
Calm winds today.
25deg.F at 12pm at 4500.

Snow surface

Stellars, 2" new 12/7

Variable conditions. Patchy wind slabs- 1 finger to 4F hardness on leeward aspects, mostly west to north.

Settled powder available on low angle terrain.

Snowpack

see pit profile

Photos & Video
Please upload photos below. Maximum of 5 megabytes per image. Click here for help on resizing images. If you are having trouble uploading please email images separately to staff.

Pit-Marmot lowers 12.8.17  

Shooting Crack  

Location
Click to Explore Location.