Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: IM bowl post storm avy tour

Date:

February 25, 2021 7:32pm

Observer:

Allie Barker Forecaster

Route & General Observations

Main objective of the tour was to observe recent avalanches that occurred 2/24 . Toured up to IM parking lot to IM bowl and Cross Hill.
Numerous small soft slabs, wind slabs and dry loose avalanche were observed.

Avalanche Details

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Trigger	Natural	Remote Trigger	Unknown
Avalanche Type	Soft Slab	Aspect	West
Elevation	3600ft	Slope Angle	unknown
Crown Depth	unknown	Width	40ft
Vertical Run	50ft

Avalanche Details

Observed numerous naturals today on all aspects at mid and upper elevation that occurred on 2/24. 7" of new snow fell on 2/24 with wind and 3" of new low density snow on 2/25.
Numerous small, shallow soft slabs at mid and upper elevation on all aspects, and small 2-5" thick wind slabs were observed on West to North aspects at upper elevation.
One isolated persistent slab was observed near Babe Ruth. See pics.

Red Flags

Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.

Obvious signs of instability

Recent Avalanches?	Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?	Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?	Yes

Observer Comments

Recent avalanches from 2/24 including small storm slabs, small wind slabs, small dry loose and a couple isolated persistent slabs were observed today.
Whumping and shooting cracks were reported from parties on 2/24 on the Powder Pimple of Hatch and on 2/25 on 4068'/Wimp Bowl. Both reports said whumping occurred within the new/old snow interface in thin spots in the skin track. Cracks were shallow and less than 8 feet long. Small human triggered soft slabs were reported on 2/24 on a ESE aspect at approximately 3500'.
Most natural avalanches in this cycle occurred in shallow, rocky terrain.

Weather & Snow Characteristics

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Weather

7" new snow 2/24 accompanied by SE winds gusting 16-20 for 5 hours
3" new snow 2/25
1" SWE 2/24-2/25

2/25 Wind: W 3mph @ 1pm
Temps: 14deg F at 4500' @ 1pm, 16deg F @ 3550' @ 1pm

Snow surface

3" new low density snow from last night and early morning 2/25, sitting over 7" of inverted (storm started cool and warmed up) new snow from 2/24.

Snowpack

Just observed avalanches today. No pits dug.

Photos & Video

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