| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Soft Slab | Aspect | Northwest |
| Elevation | 4500ft | Slope Angle | 40deg |
| Crown Depth | 15in | Width | 60ft |
| Vertical Run | 600ft |
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: Ray Wallace
Our group lapped Ray Wallace today. We triggered at least 10 slab avalanches. Also, lots of sloughing. These are discussed in the Avalanche Details section below. Our pit is discussed in the Snowpack Discussion.
Avalanche Details
These slabs generally started in the storm snow, but some propagated through multiple layers. Generally, they were less than 30 feet across and did not run full length. One was at least 60 feet wide, was initiated at the top of the line, wrapped into two chutes, ran full length, and covered the skin track below the chutes. Slides initiated near the top of the face, but also midway down. Pictures of three different slab avalanches are attached. These were the kind of slides that are hazardous in terrain traps and extreme terrain.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | Yes |
Observer Comments
Skier triggered avalanches.
Weather
Clear and calm.
Snow surface
6-9 inches of faceting storm snow.
Snowpack
HS: 250 cm
HP: 120 cm
Aspect: NNW
Elevation: 4,400'
Slope Angle: 40 degrees
CT12 Q2 25 cm down; CT14 Q2 45 cm down; CT16 Q3 60 cm down.
ECTN12 25 cm down; ECTN22 45 cm down.
Failure at 25 cm was at bottom of storm snow; failures at 45 cm and 60 cm were on facets between hard layers.
IMGP2013
20160318_150803
IMGP20571