Hatcher Pass

Numerous natural and human triggered wet-loose avalanches were observed most of the week. Most wet-loose were small in size, in terrain 40° and steeper, and on ALL aspects, and all elevations. The largest avalanches were up to D1.5 in size and on SE to SW aspects.

A notable cornice fall on 3/21 (triggered by a dog) triggered the persistent slab on a NW aspect at 4500’ on 3/21. The pocket failed to the ground and was D1.5. The dog is reported to be fine.

For more info and pictures on the Natural and Human triggered avalanches this week , check out the mid week summary, HERE or weekly OBSERVATIONS HERE.

This past week of unruly warm weather has thrown hatcher pass into a wet-avalanche cycle. Mostly small wet-loose sluffs will be possible on steep slopes, on mostly SE to SW aspects in the morning, at mid and low elevation.  Avalanche activity will rise to considerable, human triggered likely, naturals possible, at mid and low elevation in the afternoon, on steep slopes, mostly SE to SW aspects.  We are right at the tipping point of seeing more frequent and larger wet avalanches, up to D2 in size.

The good news: Wet loose avalanches are predictable and avoidable. Timing is everything. The bad news: Spring appears to be here a month early and it is not freezing below 3000’ at night.  

Pay attention to rollerballs gaining momentum, sinking in up to your shins in the snowpack, and watch for wet loose activity on other aspects and terrain. These are all great clues the wet avalanche hazard is rising and indicators that it’s time to move to shadier and less saturated slopes to travel on. This may mean you are left with some light at the end of the day, temps will be comfortable outdoors, so head to the car for a tailgate party instead of pushing this hazard too far.

More about wet avalanches in the avalanche problem toolbox, HERE.

With 3 nights of temperatures above freezing at 3000’ and below, the wet-slab hazard may rise today in the afternoon at mid-elevation, on SE to SW aspects, on slopes 40° and steeper. Wet slabs are hard to predict. Wet slabs are becoming more and more likely to occur with this warm weather trend at mid elevation where the snowpack structure is shallower, and has a slab sitting on crusts over weak basal facets and depth hoar.  If temperatures continue to increase this weekend, wet slabs may increase from a moderate to considerable danger in the above mentioned locations.  Wet-slabs could be up to D2 is size, or large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. 

Paying attention to rising temperatures, and lack of overnight freezing are your best red flags for knowing when wet-slabs will occur. Wet-slabs can be remotely triggered and tests can be unreliable.

Wet slabs are unlikely at the upper elevations where temperatures have remained cool overnight, and at the lower elevations where the snowpack structure is mostly weak, lacking a slab component.

Moderate to strong winds earlier in the week continued to build large cornices that have proven sensitive to human triggers.  3 known sizeable cornice fall events have occured in the past week, including two humans and one dog. All cornice falls triggered avalanches up to D1.5 in size. Let’s remind ourselves that cornices often break farther back than expected. 4 people and 1 dog passed by on the same skin track, nearly 20’ back from a cornice before the 2nd dog triggered the 15′ cornice chunk, leading to a D1.5 persistent slab avalanche. Picture HERE or FB post here. 

Low visibility can make judging the size and safe route around cornices difficult. Cornices are extremely unpredictable. Cornices are too large to try to intentionally trigger.  Give cornices a wide berth as they can break back much further than expected and will be possible to trigger larger avalanches below. Avoidance is the best mitigation tactic. Minimize your time spent under or near cornices.

Above: Large cornice-fall triggered avalanche occurred March 17.  Rae Wallace Chutes, 4500′, N aspect.

Above: Closer view of the crown of avalanche (shown above) and LARGE cornices.