Small wind slab (D1) was human triggered on Saturday 4/13, 3650' N/NE aspect. Similar small human triggered new winds slabs were observed that day.
Wet avalanche debris dated around 4/8. Natural dry loose were observed at upper elevation leeward aspects on Sat, as well as small wet loose on sunny aspects at mid and low elevation.
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: $1000 Run/Hatch Pk
Skied from PL below Hatcher Pass gate along the N. side of Hatcher Ck, then up $1000 to 4500ft on the ridge running north from VABM Hatch.
Forecaster Comments
| Trigger | Skier | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Soft Slab | Aspect | North |
| Elevation | 3600ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | unknown | Width | 250ft |
| Vertical Run | 150ft |
Avalanche Details
At approx. 1600 noticed what looked like recent avalanche debris at about 3600ft on the N. aspect and just below the top of the ridge running NE and about 1mi from VABM Hatch. Don't recall seeing it on my way up the mtn in the am. Observed skier tracks both above and below the debris. Appears to have released near the top of a short steep rollover just below the ridgetop. Maybe the beginnings of a cornice that didn't quite happen (pic).
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
See attached recent avalanche description. Observed soft snow sloughs caused by skiers on ridge running NE from VABM Hatch (pic). Observed debris from avalanches breaking to ground on S aspect of Skyscrapper Mtn. (pic).
Weather
Bluebird day in am with sunny skies until 1630 when cu cloud build-up obscured the sun. At 4500ft at 1249 was 30F with slight breeze from the S.
Snow surface
At PL found 1" new snow from last Friday? storm over firm base. 1mm surface hoar. As one climbed up the mtn, new snow transitioned to weak M/F (sun?) crust (pic). By 4000ft crust had transitioned into loose snow. Up to 6" loose snow at high point of 4500ft. 1-2 mm Surface hoar to at least 4000ft.
Snowpack
See attached snow profile. Got shovel shear easy in pit at 3786ft, but CTN. Did not do ECT.
M/F crust 3360ft $1000Run
Avalanche debris on N aspect of ridge, 1mi NE of VABM Hatch
Surface sloughs on ridge NE of VABM Hatch
Pit profile $1000 Run
Debris from avalanche breaking to ground on S. aspect of Skyscrapper Mtn. Timing of avlanche unknown