Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Test Slope Below Eldorado Bowl

Date:
Observer:
Tanner Ramey
Route & General Observations

We bailed on the planned route into Eldorado Bowl due to wind loading, poor visibility, and shooting cracks.

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

We intentionally triggered several small soft wind slab avalanches (10-20cm deep) while traveling along rollovers. We found shooting cracks and sensitive snow on NE through NW aspects at 3,300 ft elevation. Failures occurred on new snow under the wind slab.

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

Overcast with strong gusts of wind transporting snow.

Snow surface

New snow gradually forming soft wind slabs

Snowpack

Stability test results were ECTP1, PST20/100SF, and CTC. The wind slabs we found were generally four finger hard.

Photos & Video
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Small shallow wind slab triggered below Eldorado Bowl.  

Location
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