Hatcher Pass

The avalanche hazard today is LOW at all elevations. 

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Calm, cold and clear conditions following the 1/22-1/27 storm event have helped to stabilize the snowpack.  

While unlikely, you could still find and trigger a consequential DEEP PERSISTENT SLAB up to 6' deep in isolated steep and extreme terrain. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thanks for coming to support us at the Cabin Fever Reliever. Without you all, we would not be able to do the work that we do as a nonprofit avalanche center. 

DOT has cleared and opened the road as of Tuesday evening. Thanks DOT for getting the road cleared! The Hatcher Pass recreational community thanks you! 

Join us for the next State of the Snowpack at Blue & Gold in Wasilla on February 26th at 7pm. 

In the aftermath of the Atmospheric River storm event that brought over 50" of snow and 10" of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) to Hatcher Pass, we have seen cold, calm and clear conditions. Since the storm broke and people have been poking into more and more terrain, we have seen zero human triggered avalanches.  Few people have been out testing stability in Independence Mine, while numerous folks have been riding without incident up Archangel and recently on the Willow side. We have seen good stability as our snowpack has had sufficient time to adjust to this new load. While avalanche hazard is generally low, poor structure can still be found, and we have been able to observe propagation in snowpits in specific terrain. (See 2/5 Stairstep observation). 

Deep Persistent Slabs 3-6 ft deep still exist but will be unlikely to trigger. You are most likely to find and trigger a consequential DPS avalanche in isolated windward or previously cross loaded terrain where hard slabs exist and the total snowpack is a little shallower. Look out for smooth, connected slabs at convex terrain breaks in steep and extreme terrain at mid and upper elevations (2,500'-4,500'+).

Places you are the most unlikely to encounter this problem are at low elevations, on scoured windward (Southeasterly) slopes, avalanche paths that slid naturally during the storm and more leeward (W-N-NE, clockwise) aspects where the height of snow is upwards of 6 feet where a human trigger would have a hard time impacting this weak layer. 

This problem is a Catch 22: The deeper the weak layer is, the harder it will be to trigger. However, the consequences of this type of avalanche could be unsurvivable.  This is a low likelihood, high consequence scenario.  

When selecting terrain, remember Deep Persistent Slabs (DPS) are unpredictable and give infrequent feedback and can linger for several weeks.  We recommend a conservative mindset as you choose terrain; be observant of terrain traps such as gullies and rock features. Utilize safe travel protocol: only expose one person to steep slopes at a time, choose clear safe zones for regrouping and spot your partners. 

Remember, LOW danger does not mean NO danger.  "Under low danger, avalanche conditions are considered generally safe but avalanches can still be triggered on isolated features and in extreme terrain." -North American Avalanche Danger Scale

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RECENT AVALANCHES:

No avalanches have been observed since 1/27.

If you have not, see the forecaster observation and video below that covers last week's major avalanche cycle.