| Trigger | Natural | Remote Trigger | Unknown |
| Avalanche Type | Wet Slab | Aspect | South Southeast |
| Elevation | 1200ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | unknown | Width | unknown |
| Vertical Run | 300ft |
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: Frostbite and Lower elevation
Toured from low elevation up towards Frostbite to about 3500′. Snow surfaces were moist to wet on approach at 10am and punchy on south aspects below 2500′ by noon. No recent avalanches observed in the morning. On the drive down, observed 4 natural wet loose/wet slab avalanches on S/SE aspects at approx. 1200′ at the road cut and near the avalanche gate. Significant warming was observed today with a high of 45deg F at 3200′ at 1400.
Avalanche Details
Observed 4 wet loose avalanches that triggered wet slabs at low elevation today. All were naturals that likely happened between 1-2 pm. The avalanches failed at the crust and/or near the ground and debris stopped close to the road. Debris from the wet slabs (that occurred near the avalanche gate) took out some alders and other trees on its path. Although these paths are small, the avalanches are an indictor of instability at low elevation and what to expect soon at mid elevation. We have not seen these paths run this far before.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
Recent natural avalanches at low elevation on south and southeast aspects near lower road.
Few day old persistent slabs on west aspect on the Willow side of Hatcher Pass. See photos.
Weather
No new snow since 4/4
Calm winds today
Temps are the big red flag!
4500'- froze overnight, high of 40deg F today
3550'-hovered around freezing overnight, high of 35degF at IM. 45deg F measured on Frostbite at 1400 at 3200'.
2700'-above freezing for several nights, high of 42deg F today
*Lack of freezing for 3-4 nights at 2700'
Snow surface
Snow surfaces are wet up to 2500' and moist up to 3200' on south aspects. Crusts are melting mid day and are sun softened above 3500' on E to W aspects. Pole penetration is up to 12" deep in moist to wet snow up to 3000'.
Snowpack
see pit
4/16 S/SE aspect , 1200' Natural Wet-loose triggered Wet-Slab
4/16 S/SE aspect , 1200' 1 of 2 Natural Wet-loose triggered Wet-Slab near the avalanche gate at the entrance to Hatcher Pass
4/16 S/SE aspect , 1200' Another view of the Natural Wet-loose triggered Wet-Slab near the avalanche gate at the entrance to Hatcher Pass
4/16 S/SE aspect , 1200' 1 of 3 Natural Wet-loose triggered Wet-Slab near the avalanche gate at the entrance to Hatcher Pass
4/16 S/SE aspect , 1200' Natural Wet-loose triggered Wet-Slab
West aspect on the Willow side. We believe these are a few days old.Credit: Ben Reynolds
West aspect on the Willow side. We believe these are a few days old. Credit: Ben Reynolds
PST 70/100 End at 155cm on the facet/crust and @170 cm
Frostbite Lowers-16-Apr