Hatcher Pass Avalanche Forecast

There were several human triggered dry loose avalanches this week. There was also several small human triggered slab avalanches this week.

2/07: Hatch Peak south face 4200′ click here for more info.

2/07: Ray Wallace Chutes North 4000′ click here for more info.

2/10: Marmot West 4000′. See wind slab below for more info.

Moderate winds from the SE blew for 13 hours on 2/10. These winds have created small wind slabs averaging 3-4” thick and up to 10″, these are located at upper elevations on west through northwest aspects. Wind slabs will be located near ridge tops and cross loaded features. These wind slabs will be small in size and human triggered avalanches will be possible. Natural avalanches are unlikely. 

Shooting cracks are a red flag for this avalanche problem. Smooth drifted snow and firmer snow overlying weak snow will be good indicators that wind slabs are present. Pole tests and hand pits will help you quickly identify this avalanche problem. 

Coverage is still thin in Hatcher Pass and even a small avalanche could sweep you through rocks and cause traumatic injury. We recommend using low risk travel techniques when traveling in or around avalanche terrain. Spread out when ascending slopes, only descend slopes one at a time, and choose safe zones that are out of harm’s way.

Debris from small wind slab on Marmot 4000′ West

Small human triggered wind slab. Marmot 4000′ west southwest

On 2/10 4” of new snow fell and in some isolated areas has created a soft Storm Slab. These Storm Slab avalanches will be isolated, small in size, and found at mid and upper elevations and on all aspects. Human triggered avalanches are possible, natural avalanches are unlikely. Look for soft, drifted, pillows of upside down snow. In areas where more cohesive new snow sits over older weaker snow, it may be possible to trigger shooting cracks, and small soft slab releases. Pay particular attention to the south facing, windward aspects. In these locations you will be able to visually identify wind texture, drifting and a “pillowy appearance”. 

SE face of Hatch Peak Light to moderate winds were able to transport low density new snow very short distances, creating this texture and the potential for triggering small, soft slabs in isolated locations. In most cases this snow will lack cohesion and not act as a slab, but we believe there are isolated locations where it will be possible to trigger small soft storm slabs.

4” of new snow and cold temperatures have created snow surfaces that are very low density. This low density snow will be capable of producing dry loose avalanches at all elevations on all aspects. This avalanche problem will be found on slopes 40° or steeper. Human triggered avalanches are possible and will be small in size. Natural avalanches are unlikely.

Dry loose avalanches are able to gain mass and speed rapidly, and can entrain old weak sugary snow lower in the snowpack. Practice good sluff management if you choose to venture out into steeper terrain. These avalanches will be small but can catch, carry and sweep you through hazards such as rocks, cliffs and terrain traps if not managed properly.