Hatcher Pass
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The Bottom Line
Today the avalanche danger is low. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely.
Low density snow exists on northerly aspects and areas protected from wind. On all other aspects, expect to find exposed crusts, sastrugi, wind-affected snow and variable riding conditions. Steep southerly slopes have sun crusts forming on them but are softening in the afternoon.
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| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Some small dry and wet loose avalanches occurred on April 5th.
Small dry loose avalanche on SW face of marmot. This natural likely occurred on April 5th.
Dry loose avalanches on the north face of Government Peak.
Avalanche danger is low today, natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely.
Small Loose Wet avalanches are possible in the afternoon at low and mid elevations, in isolated areas on southern aspects that are 35 degrees or steeper. Timing on southerly aspects has been hard to determine and seems to be changing daily. Pay attention to temperatures during the day and how much the slopes are being affected by the sun, to avoid triggering wet loose avalanches..
Small wet loose on President’s Ridge.
Low danger does not mean no danger.
It’s important to keep a few things in mind when heading out into the mountains today:
