Quick report
Multiple parties of ice skaters and hikers reported observing an avalanche on Bennet's Ridge off of Hatcher Pass proper/Hatch Peak on Sunday 11/2. This avalanche is believed to have occurred some time in the afternoon on 11/1 (click "avalanche" for more details) and is the first reported human-triggered avalanche of the season. Through parking lot interviews conducted by the public, it is believe that the individuals involved "rode out" and no one was injured in the slide. Chugach Front Range forecaster Mary Gianotti as well as other members of the public submitted photos and observations on Sunday 11/2 to HPAC. This particular leeward location near Bennet's Ridge was one such area that contained firm, wind transported snow and accordingly, appeared to have better coverage for early season skiing or riding than other areas.
Early season conditions persist: we have a thin snowpack typified by variable surfaces which include frozen melt-freeze crusts, weak, faceted snow and firm wind features below ridgelines.
Weather
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Avalanche
- Size
- D1.5
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- NW
- Trigger
- AR
- Elevation
- 4200 ft
This avalanche was believed to have been triggered by a snowboarder in a party of 2 who had been booting the area and constructing a jump. The avalanche broke within density breaks in wind-drifted snow and stepped down to facets at ground level. It was approximately 350' wide and ran 300' at the highest point in the middle down to road level. Two other small (D1) avalanches were observed on a cross-loaded northeast aspect on $1000 run that likely occurred during wind events on and around Halloween.