Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Lone Tree Gulch

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Wind effect on just about all aspects and elevations except possible lower elevation south faces. Air was cool enough to prevent significant softening of the surface despite bright sunshine all day.

Contact, Location & General Observations
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Forecaster Comments

The Souvenir avalanche mentioned in the obs occurred around 3/12-3/15 and is an old avalanche. See obs from March 15
Human triggered wind slab is a D1.5 and most likely failed on NSF on a crust.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierRemote Trigger No
Avalanche Type Hard SlabAspect West
Elevation 3700ftSlope Angle 35deg
Crown Depth 15inWidth 300ft
Vertical Run 150ft  
Near Miss / Accident Details
Number Caught/Carried? 1Number Partially Buried?0
Number Fully Buried?0Number Injured?0
Number Fatalities?0  
Avalanche Details

Wind slab broke on my second turn. Due to convexity of the slope, the blocks luckily separated as they slid and I was at the uphill edge of the debris when it stopped moving. Skis remained on and poles were dropped but retrieved. Had this been above a terrain trap, the results could have been much worse.

Red Flags
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Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?Yes
Observer Comments

Observed old large avalanche from 3/12-3/15 on steep north face of the twin peaks at the head of Lone Tree Gulch. This is visible in the upper right corner of the photo. Some collapsing and shooting cracks in the various sections of wind-board.

Photos & Video
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