Hatcher Pass
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The Bottom Line
Loose Dry is today’s avalanche problem.
Human triggered Loose Dry avalanches are possible at all elevations in terrain that’s 40° or steeper. While these avalanche’s have decreased in size over the last week, they have increased in speed. Natural avalanches are unlikely.
If you do get caught in an avalanche, rocks, cliffs and other shallowly buried hazards will increase the danger. The snow depth is highly variable and is dependent on elevation and aspect.
Heads up for another cold day in the mountains, especially if the winds pick up.
There is some uncertainty with winds in the forecast this afternoon. Any sustained winds will build wind slabs sensitive to human triggers.
Special AnnouncementsHPAC is still accepting applications for the Johnny Soderstrom Memorial Scholarship. Click here for more info. Applications are due by Nov 26th.
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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. |
There have been numerous human triggered, small, Loose Dry avalanches this past week.
Small human triggered Dry Loose, Upper Eldorado 4600′ NE
| Signal Word | Size (D scale) | Simple Descriptor |
| Small | 1 | Unlikely to bury a person |
| Large | 2 | Can bury a person |
| Very Large | 3 | Can destroy a house |
| Historic | 4 & 5 | Can destroy part or all of a village |
Cold weather and calm winds have allowed the old snow near the surface to remain low density. Small Loose Dry avalanches are possible on slopes 40° or steeper, on all aspects and at mid and upper elevations. At lower elevations, loose dry avalanches will be lower in volume. Human triggered avalanches are possible, natural avalanches are unlikely.
While these avalanches have decreased in size, they will gain speed quickly. Don’t let your guard down with these Loose Dry avalanches. Small avalanches can still have high consequences when traveling above rocks, cliffs, and gullies. Know what’s below you and practice good slough management.
The snowpack depth in Hatcher Pass is highly variable at the moment. Overall snowpack depth is highly dependent on elevation and aspect. There is less than a foot of snow at lower elevations. At the mid elevations the snowpack is averaging two feet in depth. At upper elevations, the north aspects have as much as 3 feet of snow. On south aspects at the same elevation the snowpack is much shallower, with rocks and tundra just below the surface.
Small human triggered Loose Dry on Marmot NNW 3700′
The snowpack lacks any major structural issues and is right side up.
Wind slabs are not a concern this morning. However, the forecast is calling for the potential for winds increasing to 15-30mph from the NE. With an abundant amount of low density snow available for transport, winds slab may form quickly on South thru West aspects. Any wind slabs formed will be sitting on weak faceted snow and be sensitive to human triggers.
Be on the look out for any signs of recent winds if you head out into the mountains today. Look for blowing snow near ridge tops and smooth drifted snow. Whumping and shooting cracks are red flags for this avalanche problem.
Hopefully any wind event will be short lived and spare the good riding quality.
