| Recent Avalanches? | No |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Summer Road to Hatcher Pass Proper
Standard summer road uptrack, back down the same route.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
Test slope collapsed and cracked. See photo.
Weather
Obscured, classic Hatcher Pass flat light. Light Snowfall becoming very light. Calm winds throughout the tour, moderate west winds at the pass. 0 degC at the car, -4 degC at the pass.
Snow surface
Smooth, not loaded surface becoming wind deposited at the Pass. At the pass, wind scoured to the ground in some areas and knee deep drifts in others. Surface crystals appeared to be decomposing needles.
Snowpack
HS 40cm
~20cm decomposing new precip crystals, much lighter density
~20cm moist melt forms at the bottom
Ski pen 15-20cm.
Hand pits did not show instability.
Loading a test slope resulted in collapse and cracks, see photo. Test slope in photo ~42deg, SW facing, ~3500'. Similar results just below the pass. No formal stability tests.
Parking lot view down valley
Parking lot view of Skyscraper
Skyscraper south face, view from ~3500'
Test slope cracks
Hand pit at test slope crack