Hatcher Pass

There were no slab avalanches reported or observed this week. Several dry loose avalanches have been observed this week.

Last night 4-5 inches of snow fell, with an additional 5-7″ of snow forecasted for today. This new snow will be capable of producing small to large Dry Loose avalanches at all elevations, and on all aspects, on slopes 40° or steeper. Human triggered avalanches are possible this morning and natural avalanches will be possible by the afternoon. This snow will likely fail near the sun/drizzle crust and will make for a good bed surface. 

We recommend using good sluff management if you decide to step out into steeper terrain. No matter the size, these avalanches can catch, carry and sweep you through hazards, if not managed properly. 

Overnight 4-5” of new snow has fallen. Hatcher Pass is expected to receive an additional 5-7” inches of snow by tonight. With increasing temperatures you can expect this new snow to behave like a slab. Storm Slabs will be found on all aspects and all elevations, Small to large human triggered avalanches will be possible on terrain 35° or steeper. Natural avalanches are unlikely. 

Whumping and shooting cracks will be red flags for this avalanche problem Use hand pits, small tests slopes and instability tests to identify Storm Slabs. 

We recommend using low risk travel techniques, this includes spreading out when traveling uphill or near avalanche terrain. Riding slopes one at a time and stopping and regrouping out of harm’s way. Avoid riding slopes that have terrain traps below. Terrain traps can increase your burial depth. An increased burial depth reduces the chance of a successful rescue.

4-5” inches of snow fell last night and an additional 5-7″ of snow is forecasted for today. If we do receive this additional snow there is the potential for our persistent slab problem deeper in the snowpack to wake up. This problem will be located on East thru West aspects, at all elevations on slopes 35° or steeper. These avalanches will be large in size and have the potential to fail deeper in the snowpack. If this additional snowfall occurs remote triggering avalanches will be possible.

The snowpack has poor structure made up of multiple weak sugary layers of snow and several crust layers.  See pit here. With this increased rapid load overnight and throughout today, weak sugary snow near the ground is reaching the tipping point. If avalanches fail deeper in the snowpack expect the consequences of being caught and carried to increase.

This problem will be hard to predict. Recent avalanches, whumping, and shooting cracks will be red flags for this avalanche problem. Use ski pole probes to look for stiff snow sitting over weak sugary facets. Use snowpits and hand hardness tests to better identify areas with poor structure. 

Below is a video of the deeper persistent slab problem that has the potential to wake up with the additional load today.

We recommend using low risk travel techniques, this includes spreading out when traveling uphill or near avalanche terrain. Riding slopes one at a time and stopping and regrouping out of harm’s way. Avoid riding slopes that have terrain traps below. Terrain traps can increase your burial depth. An increased burial depth reduces the chance of a successful rescue.

Moderate winds from the S-SW blew for 6 hours. These winds have created small wind slabs in specific areas with slabs averaging 3-5” thick. These are located mid and upper elevations on the north aspects. These wind slabs will be small in size, human triggered avalanches are possible. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Expect this slab thickness to increase if winds continue throughout the day.

Shooting cracks are a red flag for Wind Slabs. Look for smooth freshly drifted snow overlying weak snow when trying to identify this avalanche problem. Pole tests and hand pits will help you quickly identify this avalanche problem

Even a small avalanche could sweep you through rocks or other hazards and cause injuries. 

Use safe travel techniques when traveling in or around avalanche terrain. We recommend spreading out when ascending slopes, descend slopes one at a time, and choose safe zones that are out of harm’s way.