| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Wet Loose Snow | Aspect | Southeast |
| Elevation | 3400ft | Slope Angle | 34deg |
| Crown Depth | 6in | Width | 5ft |
| Vertical Run | 300ft |
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: SE Ridge, Marmot Mountain, Corporate Run
Ascended from MP 16 parking lot to 3960′ overlook at S end of Marmot Ridge. Descended SE ridge, Corporate Run. Very warm temperatures (51 F in the sun) at one meter above ground. Wet loose avalanche triggered by skier.
Avalanche Details
Skier in party descended a bit too far to his right and triggered a sluff that was initially only 6 inches deep and 5 feet wide. However, this wet loose avalanche quickly gained mass and momentum. It ran several hundred feet into and down an adjoining gully expanding to ~ 10-15' wide and ~3' deep at its terminus.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
Sluffs observed on southern aspects of Skyscraper Peak and point releases on SW aspect of lower President's Day Run (SE ridge on Marmot Mountain.) These southern exposures with steeper slope angles have a more direct angle of incidence to solar radiation.
Weather
Clear skies, temperature recorded at Marmot Wx station was 38F, winds calm. Air temperature at one meter above ground at 3600' was 51 F in the sun!
Snow surface
Old storm surface snow settling and somewhat wet at 1400 hrs, solar noon.
Snowpack
Ski-pole tests on ascent revealed a top layer of old storm snow consolidating about Feb 5 drizzle crust. Moderate resistance to hand shear test yielded an intact slab with a rough shear at drizzle crust interface.
Wet loose avalanche triggered by skier descending Corporate Run (SE ridge on Marmot).
Point release on SW face of lower President's Day Run (SE ridge on Marmot).