Hatcher Pass

The avalanche hazard is LOW at all aspects and elevations. 

A large storm that brought significant precipitation to coastal areas has delivered some moderate snowfall to Hatcher Pass! Yesterday's strong winds trended calm as snow started to fall and as of 6AM, the Pass has seen 4" at mid elevations, with 6"+ expected by end of the day today. 

While this system has not brought enough snow or wind to build new slabs, it marks a paradigm shift.

You could trigger a small dry loose sluff in steep and extreme terrain today where new storm snow has bonded poorly with existing snow surfaces. Use normal caution while selecting terrain and monitor conditions along your route. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-HPAC would like to send thoughts and condolences to friends, families, and colleagues following Tuesday's avalanche incident in the Chugach. Read the preliminary incident report on Chugach Avalanche's website here. 

-Are you a motorized user? Join us March 17th at Eagle River Polaris at 6PM for a Forecaster Chat/State of the Snowpack. 

With no real snow since 1/27, Hatcher Pass has begged for an early Spring facelift. If you're a Hatcher Pass recreator this season, you have either a) stayed very patient, milked the terrain for all it's worth and have become a facet hunter b) traveled out of the area c) taken up knitting. If anyone can claim all of the above (a, b, and c) please email me details.

Today marks a paradigm shift: as of 6AM Independence Mine (3,500') has seen 4" of new snow! If, like me, you got use to the grass, mud, and flowing water we have been stuck with, this is the wake-up call that it is still in fact winter in Southcentral AK. Large avalanches are unlikely today. Here are some considerations for terrain selection: 

DRY LOOSE:

You may be able to trigger a small dry loose avalanche in steep and extreme terrain at upper elevations where new storm snow has poorly bonded with either existing loose, faceted snow OR a firm surfaces on windward aspects. Travel cautiously, specifically around terrain traps where even a small sluff could have higher non-avalanche consequences. 

WIND SLAB:

Winds blew for 6 hours between 30-50mph yesterday at ridgetop (4,500'+). With so little existing snow available for transport during this event, you are unlikely to find consequential wind slabs. That being said, should the "nowcast" be different from the forecast today or tomorrow, be observant of pluming, flagging or spindrifting at ridgetops. Remember, it does not take much snow with sustained winds to build slabs. Use pole tests and look out for hollow feeling snow, whumphing, collapsing or shooting cracks. It would not be impossible to find a small wind slab today on leeward slopes that formed during higher winds. While these are unlikely to cause a significant avalanche, they could knock you off your feet in steep and extreme terrain. 

NORMAL CAUTION: 

• Surfaces below this shallow new snow are firm and variable. Keep up good travel protocol: injury or broken gear could have significant non-avalanche consequences, even on a low hazard day. Flat light combine with snow surface conditions are likely our biggest hazards today. Make a plan, spot partners and utilize safe zones. 
• Continue to watch out for cornices that continue to sag as a result of our recent warm temperatures. While we haven't seen any release yet, remember they can break unexpectedly and further back than expected. Limit your exposure on or under overhanging cornices.

RECENT AVALANCHES:

No significant avalanches have been reported or observed since 1/27.