Hatcher Pass

The avalanche hazard is increasing and the size of potential avalanches is getting bigger as strong winds continue.

Strong winds, gusting ESE 38- 73 mph at 4500′ over the past 48 hours, have been moving plenty of available snow and building dangerous wind slabs on leeward aspects, mostly West to North, and features at mid to upper elevations.

Expect slabs up to 6″ to 20″ thick to be touchy and sensitive to human triggers at mid and upper elevation, on West to North aspects.

Several RED FLAGS currently exist in the snowpack including: unstable snow, recent avalanches, strong wind, rain on snow, and persistent slabs. IM weather station @ 3500′ reports that it has NOT been freezing overnight for 2 nights! Rain has been reported as high as 3500′, and maybe higher in elevation. Buried surface hoar is being investigated as the culprit weak layer in recent avalanches. New, large glide cracks have also been recently observed on the south side of Hatch.

On December 8, a human triggered wind slab avalanche was captured on video and shared. Many thanks to these folks for sharing their experience for our learning. This rider was caught and carried, ended up on top of the debris, and was not injured.

Several other human triggered avalanches occurred at Hatcher Pass on Sunday, and a lot of close calls. See OBSERVATIONS for more information.