Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is LOW for all aspects and elevations. 

The good news: You pretty much can't buy an avalanche right now.

The better news: You can support HPAC with a donation and help us continue to offer high-quality observations and forecasts for when the snow and hazards return. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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

Avalanche Discussion

Quiet weather and overcast skies will finish out the weekend. An extended dry spell, a few periods of moderate winds, and recent warming have contributed to overall firm and fast conditions throughout the forecast area. Softer turns and faceted surfaces can still be found on shady, sheltered slopes, but they don't come easy. Coverage for snowmachines continues to be good, but firm conditions should encourage caution when climbing or side-hilling steeper slopes. This season has been feast or famine, and we're all ready to eat. 

It is very unlikely a person will trigger an avalanche today, but even small avalanches in extreme terrain can be consequential. Continue to practice normal caution. If you're taking advantage of the stable conditions and fast travel to get into remote, high-elevation, or steep terrain, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Have a plan in place if a fall results in an injury or broken gear.
  • Continue to practice good travel protocol and only expose one person on a slope at a time. Spot partners from safe zones to the side of the potential path of an avalanche. 
  • Small wind slabs formed on faceted grains early this week and may still exist at upper elevation ridgelines on west to north aspects. Expect these to be thin, unreactive, and manageable. 
  • Triggering a small dry or wet loose sluff will be possible in very steep isolated or extreme terrain. Look for these in steep shady aspects (dry) - or steep, rocky, solar aspects (wet) during periods of increased solar activity.
  • 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 avalanches have been observed since 1/27. See all recent observations here.

Regions covered