Hatcher Pass

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–2

  We have seen daily avalanche activity on solar aspects throughout the forecast area in the last week. Although some days this activity has been smaller and confined to extreme terrain, the main trend has continued: near or above freezing daytime temperatures with strong solar input on southerly slopes. Yesterday, forecasters observed some newer, larger wet loose point releases on the Punk Spines on the Arkose side of the Little Susitna River on southeast and southwesterly aspects. Both natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches will be possible on steep slopes greater than 35 degrees on southerly aspects above 2500' during the heat of the day. With less snow and limited steep south-facing terrain below 2,500 at lower elevations, you are unlikely to see consequential wet loose avalanches start below 2,500' 

  While traveling on solar slopes, use the skill of observation of red flag signs of warmup: natural wet loose avalanches, pinwheels and roller balls and wet, gloppy or sloppy snow. These are all indications that you could trigger a wet loose avalanche. With this problem, be mindful of terrain traps like gullies and ravines that could make a small avalanche more consequential. 

  PERSISTENT SLAB: We have not seen any human triggered avalanches of the March persistent slab problem for a week (see below). The last observed persistent slab in the area was seen on Saturday 3/21 on a N facing aspect adjacent to Stairstep with an unknown occurrence time and trigger. During this time, we have had lots of recreators riding and skiing terrain with no reported results in snowpack tests. Facets have rounded (healed) and we have seen increasing stability. We have high confidence that this isolated problem will be unlikely to trigger today. 

  As a reminder, unlikely does not mean impossible. If you traveled in steep and extreme terrain that previously avalanched during the January storm cycle or found a buried firm crust with an intact slab over it, you could still find and trigger a small persistent slab. Even a small slab in complex terrain could have unintended consequences. Use ski poles to search for areas of thicker snow on firm bed surfaces, and remember that cracking, collapsing, and "hollow" snow indicates potential instability. Travel on loaded slopes with caution, have an exit plan, and space out one at a time when crossing or descending avalanche paths.