Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Upper Jim Creek, Frontier Peak

Date:
Observer:
Josh Hejl
Route & General Observations

Large Avalanche came down from South-west gully on frontier. Debris pile is a mile long. The rippey trail is pretty dry and excellent for jogging and mountain biking if you are eager. The avalanche debris is only 1/4 mile off trail and well worth checking out. Alpha angle measured at 27 degrees, meaning an avalanche could easily cross this trail. We encountered excellent corn skiing up high on south and southwest aspects.

Contact, Location & General Observations
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Forecaster Comments

This observation is outside of the forecast area but is another example of how the radical shift in weather has initiated a large wet avalanche cycle in and around Hatcher Pass.

Avalanche Details
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Trigger NaturalRemote Trigger Unknown
Avalanche Type Wet SlabAspect Southwest
Elevation 5000ftSlope Angle 40deg
Crown DepthunknownWidthunknown
Vertical Run 4500ft  
Avalanche Details

A mix of wet loose and wet slab.
Avalanche most likely happened around time of recent Hatcher pass avalanche cycle, or start of warming trend.

R4/5
D4

Red Flags
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Observer Comments

Afternoon heat up.
Pockets of isothermal mush.
Rock Fall

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

Splitter
30 in am
60 by afternoon.
Dehydration is an issue, look for free drinks at creeks.

Snow surface

Ice
Corn*****
runnels
Snowman Graveyard

Snowpack

N/A

Photos & Video
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Location
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