Moderate avalanche danger lingers in Hatcher Pass

HATCHER PASS — Forecasters with the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center have listed avalanche danger in Hatcher Pass as moderate at mid to upper elevations in their forecast issued on February 22.

“With limited data from a week of stormy weather, it will be prudent to thoroughly assess this hazard before stepping it up in steep terrain at the upper elevations,” reads the forecast.

The possibility exists for a human to trigger wind slabs drifted from February 18-21 on West to North leeward aspects at upper elevations. Persistent slabs are an ongoing problem and it remains possible for a human to trigger persistent slab avalanches at mid to upper elevations. Large avalanches are possible on west to north aspect and can reach up to five feet deep with persistent weak layers buried deeper in the snow pack. Remotely triggering avalanches, while unlikely may be possible in isolated locations and loose, dry avalanches up to one foot deep may be possible in wind protected areas on west to north aspects at all elevations greater than 40 degrees in slope. While observations were limited due to stormy conditions last week, cracking and collapsing were observed at lower elevations and observers noticed that storm snow appears to have bonded better than anticipated. No natural avalanche evidence was observed at any location last Friday. However, obvious clues exist for persistent slab and deep slab instabilities with collapsing snow and shooting cracks up to 2,700 feet in elevation. At elevations above 2,700 feet, slab thickness and density makes the possibility of triggering an avalanche more difficult but comes with more risk. HPAC professional forecaster Jed Workman observed a cornice slab avalanche at 4,200 feet on Monday, February 24. The avalanche came down a 38 degree slope for 500 feet of vertical run, was 150 feet wide and had three feet of crown depth.

For more information, visit hpavalanche.org.