Loose Dry avalanche that was skier triggered, small relative to slope and relatively harmless to people. L-AS-R1-D1
Observation: Hatcher Pass
Location: Sunnyside of Hatch Peak
We toured from the Fishhook Lot up Hatch Peak along the ridge and descended Sunnyside of Hatch. The skiing and riding quality was great and the snowpack was stable. We did not observe cracking or whumphing. We did see remnants of human triggered loose dry sluffs in steep and confining terrain from the past few days.
Avalanche Details
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
We observed small human triggered sluffs.
Increasing winds from the north was blowing snow from ridgelines and depositing it on leeward aspects starting around 2pm.
Weather
Mostly clear skies with 20F degrees. The winds were calm in the morning then began to increase out of the north around 2pm. Blowing snow was observed along peaks and ridgelines in the afternoon.
Snow surface
The ~10 inches of storm snow from 1/14 was settling nicely and seems well bonded to most soft surfaces. Loose dry avalanches had occurred in steep terrain and was the primary concern today. Near peaks and ridgelines scoured surfaces were firm and snow was actively being transported by 2pm.
Snowpack
Surface loose dry avalanches of small stature were evident on terrain steeper than 40 degrees. Much of the subsurface snowpack remains quite stable and is continuing to facet with the current cold and dry weather. Shallow snowpack areas harbor a weak snowpack with loose sugary snow that you can easily penetrate to the ground. As the winds were increasing, slabs 1-2" thick were developing on leeward aspects in the upper elevation.
Multiple Tracks on Marmot Peak 1/16/24
Wind scoured surface near ridgeline just below Hatch proper on Sunnyside of Hatch S 4500' 1/16/24
Blowing Snow from the North 1/16/24
1/16 Wind transport and flagging at ridgline stated around 2pm
Flagging at ridgeline on Arkose ridge 4800'
1/16 Human triggered small sluff , Skyscraper S 4000'
1/16 Tracking the wolverine and we've yet to see it
1/16 Thin wind skin forming in isolated locations near ridgeline in the afternoon 4500'
1/16 Cornice formation on leeward aspect above April Bowl 4600'
1/16 High mark slope testing showing good stability, Boullion Mtn Williow side