| Trigger | Foot Penetration | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Hard Slab | Aspect | Unknown |
| Elevation | 2600ft | Slope Angle | 35deg |
| Crown Depth | 12in | Width | 50ft |
| Vertical Run | 50ft |
Avalanche: Hatcher Pass
Location: Marmot
From Fishhook lot to Marmot.
Avalanche Details
One recent (early morning on 1/29 ?) human triggered avalanche observed this week, just to the east of the Fishhook parking lot under Marmot. Marmot shoulder, South facing, ~2650′, ~ 35° slope. The avalanche was approximately 25' wide X 50' long X 1' deep. This specific location has a thin snowpack structure, likely due to wind scouring early in the season, then loaded with the Xmas/New Years wind slab. It appears that this hard slab avalanche may have been triggered on the lower end of the slab, breaking above the head(s) of the travelers. The harder the slab the better the possibility of triggering it from below. This is a great example of why it is important to space out when traveling in avalanche terrain, a larger avalanche would not be as forgiving.
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | Yes |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
Whumphing in specific locations has been reported a number of times, both recent, and through the last couple weeks, and has turned around a number or backcountry travelers.
Weather
Weather this week at 4500′: The temperature averaged 25°F. Wind speeds averaged ESE 10 mph, the average gust was 16 mph. The 27th was gusty with a max gust of 48 mph, but little snow to transport.
Snow surface
On 1/28-1/29, 6" of new snow at Gold Cord (4050') and 4" new snow at IM Snotel (3500'). The new blanket of light density powder has improved the winter aesthetics of Hatcher Pass, however it is so light that you are still riding on the older snow surfaces underneath.
Marmot-fishhook-lot-human-triggered
snowpack structure1