Bollettino valanghe

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

The avalanche danger is MODERATE for WIND SLAB avalanches above 3500 ft. Avalanche danger is LOW at low elevations. 

Since December 3rd, strong gusting extreme southeasterly winds up to 70mph have transformed Hatcher Pass. Snow transported to leeward aspects has created slabs that will be possible to human trigger in specific terrain. You are most likely to find unstable conditions from SW-W-N (clockwise) at and below ridgelines in terrain 30° and steeper. 

Be on the lookout for recently wind loaded slopes, corniced ridges, shooting cracks, collapsing or "whumphing" as you travel. When in doubt, space out and watch your partners. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thanks to all who came to our first State of the Snowpack at Backcountry Bike and Ski. Join us Wednesday January 8th for the next one at Bleeding Heart!

*******

Free Avalanche Rescue Workshop:

Saturday, December 14th – 12PM-3PMHatcher Pass – Fishhook (Marmot) Lot

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Since December 3rd, upper elevation weather stations have seen more than 24 hours of predominantly southeasterly winds with gusts 30-70mph. Windward aspects appear scoured and transformed by this event and leeward aspects have seen upwards of 2 feet of snow transported by the wind which built new wind slabs. It will be possible to human-trigger wind slabs 6 inches up to 2 feet deep in areas of deeper drifted snow in terrain 30° and steeper on SW-W-N (clockwise) aspects. Natural avalanches are unlikely. 

    In isolated areas, it may be possible to trigger deeper cohesive slabs sitting on top of weak, sugary snow on the October rain crust at the bottom of the snowpack. Prior to these most recent winds, we saw numerous natural and human-triggered dry loose sluffs run on this layer. With the added load from the wind event, this structure may behave like a persistent slab and could have higher consequences in steep and extreme terrain. Remember, early season conditions remain and our snowpack remains shallow in most locations. 

    While winds will diminish by Friday evening, it will still be possible to find wind loading at and below ridgelines, in gullies and other isolated features on leeward aspects. 

    (12/5/2024) Marmot Station 

    12/3 and 12/4  winds gusted strong to extreme out of the southeast. Extreme gusts on Marmot were in the 60s, hatch in the 70s. 

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

RECENT AVALANCHES:

Yesterday, we saw numerous recent natural wind slab avalanches throughout the forecast area on SW-W-N aspects (clockwise) that occurred on 12/3-4. See photos from Marmot and Wimp Bowl. These were mostly natural avalanches right below ridgeline (see below) and ran either within recently transported snow or in some cases stepped down to the ice at the bottom of the snowpack. In leeward terrain above 3,500' and above, we experienced numerous shooting cracks and collapses (see photo below). Observed avalanches were mostly small in size and incapable of fully burying a human and the largest appeared to be off Marmot, which could have been more consequential for a person. While relatively small, many of these natural wind slab avalanches would have been capable of causing injury or worse due to the shallow snowpack and non-avalanche hazards such as rocks. We did not observe any human-triggered avalanches, but were able to easily release a test slope in Eldorado Bowl (see observation). 

 

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