Most southerly sun heated slopes that sluffed, including Martin Mine area (north of Skyscraper) occurred 3/11.
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: North end of Gold Cord basin
Toured from Parking lost at end of road up thru Independence Mine bldgings to north end Gold Cord basin. Returned via lookers right along base of Sky Scraper Mtn.
Forecaster Comments
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Observer Comments
Observed old point release avalanches on S. facing slopes of Sky Scraper Mtn and near Friendship Pass. Ski cut tests of wind slab on steep W-facing slopes along maintenance trail ridge produced cracking and small soft slab releases up to 6 inches thick an running for approx. 10 ft.
Weather
Party cloudy with calm winds. No new snow for many days. Warmed up considerably in the pm. Air temp -1 C in shade at 1300.
Snow surface
Thin layer of small surface hoar overlying 5 cm thick suncrust. Suncrust layer most prevalent on S. facing slopes. Loose recrystallized snow and near surface facets on lower angle slopes not affected by wind. Considerable evidence of windcrust at higher elevations.
Snowpack
5 cm thick suncrust overlying near-surface facets transitioning to rounds and rounding DH at base of snowpack. See attached snowpit profile and pic. Got CTN and ECTPV on rounding facets at base of snowpack. Lack of reaction on CT may be due to inadequate isolation of column. Got RB7 (pic).
Suncrust S. facing slope GoldCordBasin
poor photo of Pt releases S. facing slope Skyscraper Mtn
RB7 Gold Cord
Snowpit profile N. end Gold Cord Basin.