Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Peak 4068', South Aspect

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

In the Skeetawk parking area, a returning party alerted us to an avalanche they had triggered on the south aspect of Peak 4068 Tuesday afternoon. They estimated the slope angle to be around 30 degrees. Our observations from a few hundred yards away: D2 in size, failed to the ground, skier/snowboarder triggered, with an exit track about halfway down the runout.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SkierRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Soft SlabAspect South
Elevation 3200ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown DepthunknownWidth 100ft
Vertical Run 300ft  
Avalanche Details

Width/Length are very rough estimates from a distance. Trigger point appeared to be a terrain rollover (convexity). Most of the debris didn't slide all the way down to the valley floor, but at the crown the fracture went to the ground.

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?No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Whumphing on the flats approaching the uptrack.

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

Wet snow accumulation started Sunday (Feb. 11) night. Evidence of E/SE wind. Probably 1+ foot new snow at 3000' level. Temperature on Monday hovered around freezing, cooler on Tuesday.

Snow surface

Settled dense powder.

Snowpack

We were doing a quick lap after work and did no tests. We skied a lower angle slope to the east of the avalanche.

Photos & Video
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