Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Fishhook Creek, North Fork below gate to Hatcher Pass Road

Date:

January 29, 2017 2:00pm

Observer:

Ralph Baldwin

Route & General Observations

Fishhook Creek just below the gate for upper Hatcher Pass Road.

Avalanche Details

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Trigger	Snowmachiner	Avalanche Type	Soft Slab
Aspect	East	Elevation	2900ft
Slope Angle	35deg	Crown Depth	24in
Width	40ft	Vertical Run	40ft

Avalanche Details

Fishhook Creek just below the gate for upper Hatcher Pass Road is a dangerous terrain trap. The west bank of the creek is subject to wind loading. This photo captures a snowmachine-initiated slide. Luckily, the rider did not get engulfed.

Red Flags

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Obvious signs of instability

Recent Avalanches?	Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?	No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?	No

Observer Comments

Numerous other natural slides on various aspects in the area after recent loading due to snowfal and wind.

Weather & Snow Characteristics

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Weather

Clear and sunny, 12 F, light wind.

Snow surface

A few inches of new powder over a crust.

Photos & Video

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Snowmachine-initiated slide in Fishhook Creek drainage just above snowmachine crossing of Hatcher Pass Road

Location

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