Hatcher Pass

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–1.5

  WET LOOSE:  Daytime warming and the strong March sun will increase the likelihood for both natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches this afternoon.  This problem will be most likely to be found on steep south through west facing slopes above 2500', especially in thin areas of thin snowpack or in terrain close to exposed rocks. Continued overnight refreeze of the upper snowpack, a weak north breeze, and slightly cooler temps will keep snow surfaces firm this morning and delay any possible activity.  Early bird gets the worm when you're dealing with solar aspects in the spring. When the snow becomes soft, wet, and unsupportable, move to low-angle terrain or shady aspects.  

  PERSISTENT SLAB: Unfortunately this problem isn't ready to be put to bed. Faceted layers still exist in the snowpack, and as such they're likely to be re-awakened by warming, precipitation, or wind loading. After a brief natural cycle and a human-triggered avalanche, this problem appeared to be mostly relegated to sympathetic triggers by wet loose activity on solar aspects for the last 10-12 days. That was, until yesterday when a party triggered a slab on a solar aspect in the Valley of Sin. We've received no additional loading and the structure hasn't changed, so it's most likely that the daytime warming we've been experiencing is contributing to the appearance of this problem. The strong March sun is likely working to thicken the upper layers of the snowpack into a more cohesive slab and contributing to it's tensile strength. As such, just when these aspects are getting soft and creamy to ski, they're also increasing in their likelihood of being able to produce this problem. Persistent slabs continue to be unlikely but will increase with warming on south-facing aspects above 2500' this afternoon. Watch out for warming and thickening of snow surfaces, and as always persistent slabs do not care if there are tracks on the slope. 

  MANAGEMENT

  • Both of these problems can be managed in the same way. Watch out for warming surfaces, soft or punchy snow, and move to lower angeled slopes or shady aspects in the heat of the day.