Moderate avalanche danger in Hatcher Pass

HATCHER PASS — The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center has listed avalanche danger in Hatcher Pass at moderate for all elevations and all aspects. The HPAC provides bi-weekly avalanche forecasts for Hatcher Pass. Observations on https://hpavalanche.org note that no new slab avalanches have occurred since a snowmachine triggered avalanche on Divide Ridge on March 2.

“Small sensitive wind slabs up to 7″ thick will be possible to human trigger at upper elevation on W to N aspects today. Dry loose sluffs will be possible to human trigger in terrain steeper than 40º at all elevations and all aspects. Persistent slabs will be possible to trigger today at all elevations, in specific locations on E to W aspects. Last weekend’s “drizzle” crust aka the “rashizzle” has been the culprit of rashes caused from crashing this week, ouch! The crust varies in thickness with location but is reported to be widespread up to 5000′ at Hatcher Pass,” wrote HPAC staff.

While no new slab avalanches have occurred since March 2, several human triggered dry loose sluffs were observed on March 3 and 4. The March 6 forecast expires 24 hours after posting.

“In the upper portion of the pack 3-4” of new snow and the drizzle crust, sit on a layer of decomposing snow and sugary facets. Below this, In the middle of the pack lies an old weak sugary layer of facets. Near the base of the snowpack sits a layer of facets and depth hoar. This poor structure has been observed at all elevations and all aspects in Hatcher Pass. However, we believe that there is a greater chance of human triggered avalanches on East through West aspects where a thinner snowpack and poor structure exists. This past week several remote and Human triggered avalanches have occurred on East through West aspects. 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,” wrote HPAC staff.