Hatcher Pass
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The Bottom Line
The avalanche danger is LOW today for all aspects at all elevations.
Large human triggered and natural avalanches are unlikely today.
Normal caution is advised if you are traveling in the backcountry this weekend.
Warm temps the past few days have drastically changed conditions. Snow surfaces will be dense and moist below 3000′ making travel slow and sticky.
The best riding will be above 4000′.
Special AnnouncementsCome join HPAC for a screening of the movie, BURIED, at our Beartooth fundraiser Thur March 24th. All new HPAC swag will be available for purchase. If you can’t make it, donate here.
The road has been cleared and is open up to mile 14/Goldmint. Thanks DOT!
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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. |
Poor visibility on Friday inhibited our ability to see any potential recent avalanches from Thursday.
Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely today.
Expect another day of clouds and mild temps today.
Good travel habits are important even with Normal Caution and Low danger.
Expect to see small wet loose sluffs in isolated steep southerly aspects below 2500 feet.
Over 7 ‘ of snow still exists at 2700′ and 8.5′ at 3550’. Weak layers from Dec 26 and Nov are now buried 4.5′ to 6’+ deep. The depth of these weak layers will make triggering a large avalanche very unlikely for now. Spring is around the corner and we will be paying attention to any rapid warm up for 3 days or more which could cause these layers to reawaken. Stay tuned!
The Marmot snow stake is still buried 8′ deep.
The most challenging part of today will be navigating through dense, moist snow below 3000′ to find good riding conditions. Cooler temps are in the forecast for Sunday evening into next week which is expected to improve riding conditions.
Poor visibility on Friday from the Goldmint lot up to Presidents.
Buried! The cabin across from the old Motherlode near Goldmint.
Few people have been out recreating. If you get out, please share your observations here.
