Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Marmot Chutes

Date:
Observer:
Joe Kurtak Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol
Route & General Observations

Observed an avalanche take place in Marmot C=chutes on NW aspect of Marmot Mtn.

Contact, Location & General Observations
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Forecaster Comments

New information has led us to believe this avalanche was unintentionally triggered by a cornice that broke under a person's weight. See more info in the "Marmot Chutes Rae Wallace" observation from 3/17

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SnowboarderRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Soft SlabAspect Northwest
Elevation 4100ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown DepthunknownWidth 400ft
Vertical Run 500ft  
Avalanche Details

At 11:15 saw an avalanche occur on the NW aspect of the Marmot chutes. Observation point was from the SW edge of the Rae Wallace Bowl. A short time earlier noticed two split boarders skinning up the alluvial fan at the base of one of the Marmot chutes approx. 0.1 mi to the NE of the chute where the avalanche occurred. Origin appeared to be midway up a narrow NW-trending chute on the ridge face. Skiers were still climbing when the avalanche occurred and apparently unaware of the situation. I yelled across to them that there had been an avalanche. They must have understood the situation as they waved back at me, stopped climbing, removed skins and started back down the mtn, skiing thru the soft debris of the avalalanche along the way. Could not tell whether or not the skiers remotely triggered the avalanche. We did not investigate the avalanche site.which occurred approx. 0.2 mi from our observation point on the SW edge of the Rae Wallace bowl. SSNR3D2

Red Flags
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Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Recent avalanche

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Overcast and calm. Strong SW winds the prior evening.

Snow surface

At our location wind crust,underlain by rounds and facets.

Snowpack

Considerable wind transport the prior evening. Snow plumes noted on the top of Marmot ridge earlier on the day of the avalanche.

Photos & Video
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Avalanche Marmot Chutes  

Location
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