| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | No |
| Avalanche Type | Soft Slab | Aspect | Southwest |
| Elevation | 3900ft | Slope Angle | 30deg |
| Crown Depth | 8in | Width | 150ft |
| Vertical Run | 300ft |
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: Gold Cord Lake moraine
Skied Nosebleed and was coming out Gold Cord Lake heading for the mine road to ski the groomer. Avalanche was on the moraine coming out of the lake.
Also, slope skiers left on Nosebleed, the steeper part where sometimes the uptrack is put, all slid in one of the recent storms. Lots of chunks on the slope and debris on the lake covered by a couple inches of fresh snow.
Avalanche Details
Went to ski the slope and made two hard, cautious turns to test the snow and slope. Snow was more heavy and wet from the sun. On 2nd turn the snow cracked and propagated below me, spreading across the slope. The speed of the moving snow was moderate, chunky and heavy enough it might knock a person down. Debris wasn't enough to bury someone, but did go in a small terrain feature that made it pile up a bit more. Definitely failed on the infamous drizzle/sun crust. Skied the bed surface out which was unbreakable crust. No dogs or people caught.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | No |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Observer Comments
Group of 2 that broke trail to the top of Microdot said they heard whumphing, not right near the trail but nearby. There was a large shooting crack when I stopped for the avalanche that continued from my skis across the gully another 75ft or so.
Weather
Bluebird with clouds quickly coming in. Hot in the sun. Flat light before reached the parking lot.
Snow surface
Mix of sun crust and moderately wet snow on south and west faces.
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