Hatcher Pass
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The Bottom Line
The avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations and aspects. Human-triggered and natural avalanches are unlikely.
Small avalanches are still possible in isolated areas or extreme terrain.
Stiff hard slabs, breakable crusts, and sastrugi have created challenging riding conditions. Athletic injury from a fall is still a real hazard.
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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. |
No natural or human-triggered avalanches have been observed since December 23rd.
Lack of snow available for transport, relatively warm temperatures, and no major loading events have created a snowpack that is generally stable.
Despite winds continuing to gust throughout this week, a small amount of low density snow is available for transport. This will limit the formation of any new wind slabs.
Natural and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely.
We have high confidence that the persistent slab problem that we have talked about all season is dormant or unreactive. We will need a major storm or warming event to reawaken the persistent slab problem at the ground.
The current snowpack depth is highly variable at the moment, with depths ranging from 10 inches on southerly wind scoured aspects and up to 6 feet on leeward aspects. Hard wind-affected snow is widespread and varies from 1-8” thick. This hard snow formed 9 days ago and hasn’t shown signs of being reactive.
Click here for an observation from 1/4 to get a better idea of recent conditions.
Marmot 01/04/23
Riding quality is still difficult in most areas due to the hard slabs, breakable crusts, and sastrugi. Tweaking a knee or taking a nasty fall is not out of the question in these conditions.
An example of wind effected snow and exposed crusts.
While riding conditions are bleak, soft snow can be found in very protected areas.
Keep using safe travel protocols and always travel with the appropriate rescue equipment.
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