Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Pinnacle Valley, Base of "Far Side" Run

Date:

March 11, 2016 3:00pm

Observer:

Ralph Baldwin

Route & General Observations

We skinned up from Independence Bowl Parking Lot into Pinnacle Valley climbing to the base of Far Side Run. We dug a pit at 4707′ and descended from there.

Red Flags

Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.

Observer Comments

None

Weather & Snow Characteristics

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

Weather

Flat light turning to broken skies with sun. Light to no wind. Temperature was 25.1 F (Marmot Ex Station)

Snow surface

Sun-exposed SW aspects had icy crusts and varied surfaces; shaded NW aspects had consistent surfaces with 10-15 cm of surface facets.

Snowpack

Shaded NW face of Far Side run had more than 3.2 m snow depth. The top 100 cm of profile varied between pencil hardness and knife hardness except between 20 and 30 cm deep, there was a layer of 1F. Stability tests were ECTN23, Q3; STH at 30cm and at 80 cm. Very dense heavy snowpack lying of leeward side of prevailing winds.

Photos & Video

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Far Side Run, Pinnacle Valley

Location

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