Hatcher Pass
|
Archives 
|
The Bottom Line
The avalanche danger today is LOW today. Natural and human triggered avalanches will be unlikely. Low danger does not mean No danger! Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain, in the afternoon. Several nights of freezing overnight temps combined with cooler daytime temps will keep previously wet snow locked up with stout crusts 3-8″ thick on E to W aspects. Travel may be challenging today on firm surfaces until warmed by afternoon temps if the sun pops out. Cornices are still large and unpredictable, give them a wide berth.
| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| 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. |
The most significant natural and human triggered wet-loose and natural wet-slabs cycle occurred last weekend, March 30-31, and early this week. Significantly cooler temps, freezing overnight, and cooler daytime temps have frozen most surfaces at all elevations since Wednesday, limiting avalanche activity later in the week.
Cornices are large and can be difficult and dangerous to assess. Cutting cornices of this size as a stability tool is not recommended nor effective. We recommend avoiding travelling beneath them, especially during the warmest part of the day.
If the sun pops out and temps rise enough to melt surface crusts, wet loose sluffs may be possible to human trigger on steep southerly aspects today at low and mid elevation. Fortunately, the snowpack gives us clues when the it becomes wet enough to be a problem. Rollerballs, and wet soggy snow are red flags for when to move to shadier aspects and cooler terrain. Freezing nights and cooler daytime temps will keep wet avalanches to a minimum today.
