Hatcher Pass

Several natural small to large wind slabs were observed throughout this week during the 2/10-15 wind event. More info can be found in Thursdays forecast and recent observations. Most of the avalanches observed this week ranged from D1-D2 in size with crowns up to 12 inches thick with a few upward of 2+ft thick. No recent avalanches have been observed or reported since 2/14-15.

HS-N-D2-O Natural avalanche on the backside of Frostbite. Likely occurred 2/14 N 3400′ Photo: Adam Smith

HS-N-D1.5/2-O Natural wind slab on Hatch peak N 4000′ 2.14.24

As a result of significant daytime warming with a lack of freezing overnight below 3500ft, a few small wet loose sluffs were observed on Idaho peak and steep southerly aspects on 2/15.

Few small wet loose naturals were observed on Idaho Peak that occurred on 2.15 S 3000′.

HS-N-D2-O Large natural D2 wind slab in Archangel 2/Firn path off of Marmot that went naturally on 2.14.24

Same avalanche (as above pic) showing debris that crossed Archangel trail this week.

If you are a Hatcher Pass enthusiast and were not hiding in a cave or on the beach in Hawaii this week you likely experienced the intense and sustained winds that devastated the landscape, scoured ridges, eroded snow surfaces, built wind slabs, and contributed to a recent avalanche cycle from 2/10-2/15. The good news is winds finally diminished on 2/16. The bad news is conditions are less than ideal. Expect to find minimal powder, thin wind skins, breakable and stiff impenetrable wind hardened surfaces, sastrugi, scalloping and more!

Expect wind slabs to be less reactive and more stubborn to trigger the further out we get from strong and extreme winds earlier in the week.  Triggering a wind slab 6 to 12″ thick, and up to 2+ ft thick in specific locations will be possible today on southwest to northeast (clockwise) aspects at upper elevation, on slopes 35° and steeper. Large avalanches will be possible to trigger in isolated terrain. Warmer temperatures combined with less intense wind will make triggering an avalanche unlikely at mid and low elevation.

The most likely location to trigger an avalanche today will be wind loaded terrain and cross loaded features below cornices and gully side walls.  Wind slabs will be more likely to trigger where the snowpack is shallower and the weight of a human or snowmachine can affect the weak layers. Stiff snow overlying weaker snow will be easy to identify visually or with a pole or probe.  Shooting cracks and whumping are red flags for this problem.

Willow (motorized) side of Hatcher Pass near backside of Eldorado Bowl. Large natural wind slab likely occurred 2/14 SW aspect 4000′.          Photo: Brent Bryne

The majority of dense stiff wind slabs we investigated this week are sitting on rounding facets.  We expect wind slabs to continue to heal and become more stubborn while heinous riding conditions will linger for awhile. Finding locations where riding is worth driving for will be few and far between today but does exist in lower angle protected terrain.

2.16.24 Its all scoured and loaded! E face of Eldorado 4000′.

Wet Loose Avalanche

Over the past 6 days low elevation has experienced unseasonably warm day and nighttime temperatures ranging from 34 to 43ºF combined with a lack of freezing overnight below 2500 ft.  As of 5 am this morning Frostbite station is reporting slightly cooler temps overnight but still hovering around freezing.  Although it is typically not on our radar to think about wet snow avalanches in February, it will be possible to trigger small wet loose sluffs in terrain 40º and steeper below 2500 ft.  Expect warmer temperatures to persist through the weekend and to contribute to snow surfaces softening and wet avalanche problems.

There are lots of warning signs that snow surfaces are beginning to warm and wet loose avalanches are possible:

• Any natural avalanches, often these can be found underneath rock bands
• If you see or cause roller balls and pinwheels
• If you can easily make a snowball and your gloves get wet