Hatcher Pass
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The Bottom Line
The hazard rating today remains LOW at all aspects and elevations. A lack of snow, wind, and rapid warming has kept the snowpack safe and stable. Daytime warming has caused variable spring-like surface conditions which change in regards to aspect, elevation, and timing. A hard overnight freeze will keep most snow surfaces firm throughout the day.
Special AnnouncementsJoin us tonight in Anchorage! HPAC is hosting Mountain in My Mind Vol. 1 at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill. Along with the film, there will be a mental health/outdoor recreation panel discussion led by Sarah Histand (Mind & Mountain), Tucker Chenoweth (Denali National Park), and Kathleen Heiskell (Redside Alliance). Get tickets here!
Our final event of the season is Monday at Bearpaw River Brewing Company for “Meet the Forecasters” and the annual HPAC IPA release. Join us at 6PM!
| Fri, March 29th, 2024 |
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| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Hatcher Pass has not had any significant avalanche activity since March 21st. Consistent temperatures, cloud coverage and a lack of wind and precipitation have limited avalanche activity. Although, light winds are creating a drying affect on the snow surface which has decreased wet avalanche activity in some locations.
We succumb to the forces that mother nature has provided us with which are early spring-like conditions for Hatcher Pass. For the last week, overnight temperatures above 4,000 feet have been in the low 20s with highs right at 32F°. March 4th was the last significant snowfall event (3-4 inches), with several small trace to 1 inch deposits since then. We have only received 10 inches of new snow in the last month.
Coupled with warm, near and above freezing temperatures, we are seeing a spring trend that resembles May of years past. However, due to consistent overnight freezes above 3,000 feet and near freezing below over the past week, the snowpack has remained in a stable trend. Ultimately we have seen more consistent LOW danger days this year than in the last 16 seasons.
The variety of different surface snow conditions is keeping the search for quality riding increasingly challenging, but certainly a worthy venture. At low elevations, where temperatures have been near or just below freezing overnight, we are seeing moist, unconsolidated snow below the surface. If you are on slopes 35° and steeper, that face southeast through southwest in mid and upper elevations, a breakable surface crust can be expected before the afternoon warm-up. With broken skies and reduced solar input, southern aspects continue to remain firm longer.
Expect surface conditions to vary with elevation and aspect as well as timing of afternoon warm-up throughout your tour. Remember that low hazard does not mean no hazard; watch out for early signs of warming (glopping, wet snow) and change plans if noticing red flags (pinwheels, rollerballs and wet loose avalanches), particularly in the afternoon should the clouds break. As clouds still enable warming via the Greenhouse Effect, be mindful of large, drooping cornices in steep, exposed terrain regardless of aspect.
NRCS Max/Min Temps for Frostbite and Independence Mine Weather Stations. Overnight Temperatures Below 32F Will Keep Snow Surfaces Frozen Longer Throughout the Day.
Overcast Skies and Valley Fog are Limiting Direct Sunlight and Greenhouse Effect, Keeping Surface Snow Frozen Longer 3/27/24
