Hatcher Pass

Generally safe avalanche conditions will continue to persist through the weekend.

The avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations and on all aspects.

We always recommend maintaining good travel protocol even in low danger conditions.

Cold temperatures have faceted snow surfaces, improving riding conditions in many locations.  

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Join the CNFAIC for their Avalanche Rescue Workshop at Glen Alps on Sunday, February 9th.  The workshop is free and all experience levels are welcome. Click HERE for more information.

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

The last precipitation event occurred January 22-27th and has been followed by cold, clear calm weather for nearly 12 days.  More riders than skiers have been out recreating and enjoying the stellar weather up Archangel and the Willow side with a handful exploring Independence Mine Bowl. No avalanches have been observed or reported in the forecast area.  Conditions are better than they were prior to the January avalanche cycle with firm faceted supportable snow surfaces in many locations.  In this stale holding pattern, the avalanche problems are few, and we do not have enough loose snow to be concerned with a dry loose avalanche problem. 

Deep Persistent Slabs: 3-6 ft deep slabs still exist in isolated locations and will be stubborn and unlikely to human trigger today. Natural avalanches are very unlikely.  The deeper the weak layers, the harder it will be to trigger an avalanche, but if you do trigger an avalanche the consequences will be huge.  Remember that deep persistent slabs (DPS) are unpredictable and often give infrequent feedback. Human triggering can happen days or weeks after a storm. These avalanches can be remotely triggered in isolated locations from flat terrain and have unusually wide propagation.

For example, on Friday, forecasters observed a large slab avalanche (just outside the forecast area) that we believe was remotely triggered by snowmachine and sympathetically triggered a second large avalanche.  This avalanche looked more recent than the end of Jan, and we believe it occurred sometime this week. This is an example of how even with low danger and good stability and 12 days out from a loading event, the possibility still exists to trigger one of these lingering deep persistent slabs. 

A low likelihood exists for triggering a large avalanche this weekend, however, considering the high consequences, we recommend a conservative approach to terrain management.

We always want to use good travel practice, even with low danger. When the avalanche problems are complex and some uncertainty exists, it’s time to focus on safe travel protocol. In avalanche terrain, only expose one person to steep slopes at a time, choose safe zones out of the reach of avalanches for grouping up and expect avalanches to run further than you think, always have a spotter in a safe location, everyone carries a beacon, shovel, and probe, and are prepared and practiced for companion rescue.

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RECENT AVALANCHES:

No avalanches have been observed in the forecast area since 1/27.  For more info and pictures of the avalanche on the Willow side of Hatcher near Bald Mtn Ridge see recent observations here.