Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Microdot Bench

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

skinned to bench (3700′) between Microdot and Marmot from Independence mine parking lot

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

Other than older Microdot S aspect slides mentioned in Ralph Baldwin's observation, no other signs.

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

Calm winds, Temp at 30F, overcast, degrading skies

Snow surface

1-2cm crust in the flats below 3500' that created isolated cracking around skis. Some slight wind effect above 3300'. 4" of light powder on top of supportable crust above 3500'.

Snowpack

We dug one pit on (marker location). W aspect, 28* slope angle. See picture for pit profile. Both the CT and ECT tests were inconclusive (CTN, ECTX), but both tests failed at the basal facet/1F interface 30cm from ground in a resistant planar fashion when the test was taken outside of the standard parameters (5th hit using both hands dropped from shoulder).

Photos & Video
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