Hatcher Pass

Last weekend, an extreme wind event damaged homes throughout the valley, left tens of thousands without power, and obliterated our thin snowpack. 

What's left is a harsh moonscape of frozen tussok, exposed rock, and dense now. 

The avalanche hazard is LOW. Weak snow still exists under dense slabs formed by extreme winds, but triggering an avalanche is unlikely.  

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Big thanks to Backcountry Bike and Ski for hosting and everyone for coming out to our first State of the Snowpack chat of the season!

We have an app for easy access to avalanche information and observations on the go. You can download the app for free in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Today, Saturday, December 13th, 12-3 pm @ Hatcher Pass - HPAC and partners will be hosting a FREE rescue day at the Fishhook Lot from 12-3 pm. All skill levels and styles of recreating are welcome. We will have snowmachine-specific rescue tips with AMDS and Saferiders, as well as novice, intermediate, and advanced rescue clinics with Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, Skeetawk Pro Patrol, Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, and HPAC forecasters. 

Conditions are generally stable, and avalanches are unlikely. Last weekend's (December 5th to 9th) intense winds left the upper elevations resembling a harsh moonscape, with frozen tussocks, exposed rocks, and patches of firm snow. Yesterday, near Friendship Pass, we found a wide variety of snow surfaces, ranging from old faceted snow capped by thin wind skins, to thick, dense old wind slabs welded into the surrounding rocks. It isn't out of the question that, where the slabs exist in more open terrain, you could trigger a small pocket of wind-drifted snow. While these will be very small in size, they could knock you off your feet and carry you where you don't want to go —especially in extreme terrain. 

If strong winds show up early today, expect to see drifting snow at the upper elevations. While it's unlikely that there is enough snow left for transport, if you see actively drifting snow in gullies or couloirs, you could find thin wind slabs forming over old dense wind slabs below. As always, practice safe travel techniques when entering avalanche terrain by skiing or riding slopes one at a time. Be sure to carry and wear the appropriate rescue gear, and travel with a knowledgeable partner. 

Recent Avalanches:

On Tuesday, a party triggered a small avalanche while ascending the lower flanks of Marmot. 

Over the week, forecasters have continued to observe evidence of natural avalanches triggered by last weekend's wind. This includes size 2 slides in April Bowl, as well as smaller avalanches off both aspects of Marmot, Martin Mine, Hatch Peak, and Microdot. See all recent observations here.