All sluffs observed today on E to SW aspects were small, up to D1 -D1.5 in size.
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: Birthday Pass
Skier triggered sluff avalanche on new/old snow interface descending Birthday Pass.
Forecaster Comments
| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | No |
| Avalanche Type | Dry Loose Snow | Aspect | South Southeast |
| Elevation | 4500ft | Slope Angle | 35deg |
| Crown Depth | unknown | Width | 60ft |
| Vertical Run | 250ft |
Avalanche Details
Saw three skiers skinning up Birthday Pass in the Gold Cord basin. Second skier to decend triggered a dry slough avalanche about half way down the run. Skier was able to self arrest on the bed surface and was not caught in the slide. Slide was D2 in size and scope. Definitely big enough to bury and/or injury someone. This particular aspect has a large terrain trap at the bottom of the runout that could have resulted in a very deep burial had the slough trigged a slab fracture on the persistent weak layer.
Events of the day
10-12" new snow fell through out Saturday, 3/21. The snow was wind effected overnight with considerable transport taking place overnight. Wind stirations were visable on West and East aspects of steeper slopes today in Gold Cord basin. Multiple dry sloughing point release slides D1.5 to D2 in size were observed on both South and West aspects of Gold Cord basin and adjacent to this skier triggerd slide.
Rescue events
No rescue needed.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Looking North at Birthday Pass. Overall view shows skin track route and slough area.
Closer view of dry slough slide on S-SE aspect of Birthday Pass. Skiers are still in the slide zone at this time.