Avalanche: Hatcher Pass

Location: Lane Glacier

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Archangel valley to the common Lane Glacier up-track

Avalanche Details
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Trigger SnowmachinerRemote Trigger0
Avalanche Type Soft SlabAspect West
Elevation 5500ftSlope Angleunknown
Crown DepthunknownWidthunknown
Vertical Rununknown  
Avalanche Details

Triggered on descent from climb. Rider was able to accelerate past debris and was not caught.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Two slides on aspects and elevations similar to our location were observed prior to the incident. See photos 3 and 4.

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

Snow through Archangel valley had significant water content, it would hold form (snow ball) but I was not able to squeeze water out of it. At higher elevations (>5,000'ish), where the slide was triggered, the snow was still dry.

Snowpack

No formal pit evaluations. Numerous test cuts made on small slopes at all aspects up to 35 degrees (or there about) on approach to Lane. No signs of instability were noticed.

Photos & Video
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