Avalanche danger in Hatcher Pass upgraded

HATCHER PASS — Tuesday update: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center upgraded the avalanche danger in Hatcher Pass to very dangerous on Tuesday and are not recommending travel in avalanche terrain. Natural and human triggered avalanches are very likely. With a winter weather advisory in affect until February 19, strong winds and new snow will overload weak layers in the snowpack and result in large natural avalanches that could reach two to five feet in depth. Winds at 4500 feet of elevation gusted 79 miles per hour at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday and forecasters are predicting as much as 17 inches of accumulation.

Avalanches are becoming more and more common as the winter progresses in Hatcher Pass. With multiple slides visible from the road, a Feb. 9, D2.5 avalanche slid on Peak 4068, also known as Stairstepper. The natural, hard slab avalanche crowned at four feet deep and the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center issued a moderate avalanche danger on their Feb. 15 forecast.

“It may take large loads to trigger avalanches, such as groups of people, or snow machines, or just hitting the right thin spot in the slab to affect the weak layer.

Terrain choice will be key to staying safe in avalanche terrain this weekend. Choose smaller, lower angle terrain with good runouts, lacking terrain traps,” reads the forecast.

The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center website warns that persistent slabs exist on all aspects and at all elevations up to D2 in size.