Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Rae Wallace

Date:
Observer:
Russell Johanson
Route & General Observations

3/4: Up South buttress of Marmot -> Down Marmot west face -> up West Rib -> down Rae Wallace -> up bootpack chute -> laps on Rae wALLACE
3/5: Laps on Rae Wallace via boot pack chute, then exit via Vice Presidents.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierRemote Trigger Unknown
Avalanche Type Soft SlabAspect North Northwest
Elevation 4600ftSlope Angle 40deg
Crown Depth 10inWidth 20ft
Vertical Run 400ft  
Avalanche Details

The second skier down the spine directly below Marmot Proper triggered a small soft slab that broke away from him and ran on old snow surface (wind crust). The new slow on this spine was shallower and more wind-affected than the rest of Rae Wallace.

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

On 3/4, while breaking trail up the West Rib of Marmot there were small collapses at 3200-3600.

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

Sunny, temps between 0-10 all day at all elevations. Faint wind with no gusting or snow transport during the day, but gusts to 20 overnight on 3/4 did transport some snow. Minimal solar warming on south-facing slopes which are still powdery.

Snow surface

Deep soft storm snow covers most of Marmot on all aspects, and is slowly being wind-affected. Tracks from 3/4 were partially filled in on 3/5. Thin, soft wind crust that does not affect skiing is present on windward aspects.

Snowpack

Hard bed surface is present on Northwest-facing lines and sluff is running slowly but voluminously.

Photos & Video
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View of slab from below.  

Location
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