Hatcher Pass
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As of Saturday, April 4th HPAC is suspending avalanche forecasts for the Hatcher Pass area. This does not mean avalanche problems do not exist. Please see conditions report for avalanche problems to look out for and avalanche activity from the week.
Special AnnouncementsOfficial Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center Statement for Suspending Operations
The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is suspending forecasts and reducing field operations beginning April 4, 2020 until further notice. A conditions summary and recent avalanche activity will be provided today, Saturday, April 4th. As an organization whose mission is focused on promoting public safety, the HPAC is focusing on maintaining the health and well-being of our staff and of our communities. Following both Alaska’s Social Distancing and Intrastate Travel mandates are vital at this time.
We acknowledge that the absence of avalanche and mountain safety forecasts increases the user’s risk in the backcountry. Backcountry travel is not an essential need at this time of pandemic. HPAC will continue to provide updates on conditions, major avalanche hazards, and maintain the observation platform.
Thank you for your support as we all grapple with challenging decisions that redefine our work and community life. We look forward to getting through this pandemic with a minimum loss of life and economic disruption. While adjusting to the current conditions we will do our best to maintain our mission. You can find information and updates at http://www.hpavalanche.org and social media.
Thank you all for your support this season. This has been a challenging decision and we take it seriously. Please take care of each other.
Resources: How to Get Outside During a Pandemic HERE.
Tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus can be found HERE.
Hatcher Pass received about 3″ of new snow 4/3 with .3″ SWE.
A large avalanche cycle occurred early in the week after strong winds on 3/29- 3/30. Strong winds starting early Sunday morning at 1am. ENE/ESE 16-23 G 34-51 for about 15 hours at 4500′ on Marmot.
The largest avalanches were observed in the Arkose ridge area due to stronger Matanuska winds. Natural and human triggered avalanches occurred near Stairstep, Punk Spines, Gold Mint, and the Willow side of HP.
Stairstep area 3/29 3500′ NNW , Natural 3/29 3500′ SW , Natural
3/30 Punk Spines W/NNW 3800′. Ran 1000 feet to the gully.
3/29 April Bowl W aspect 4000′ . Human trigger by snowmachine. Partial burial.
3/29 Gold Mint area. W/NW aspect 2800′. Likely skier triggered. Avalanche looks small but look at the debris. Definitely could have buried, injured, or killed a person.
3/29 Hard slab debris from Gold Mint avalanche . 125 cm deep
3/29 Hard slab debris from Gold Mint avalanche.
Avalanche outlook for the week :
In most locations at Hatcher Pass, snow depth remains deep ranging from 3 to 6 feet. HP could receive a few inches of new snow in the next couple days accompanied by light winds and cooler temps towards Monday.
A variety of conditions exist including a few inches of new snow from 4/3, buried crusts, sastrugi, and old wind slabs. Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing at night at 4000′ through the week, so we are not worried about a wet slab problem yet. If new snow amounts or wind increase in the next several days, storm slabs and/or wind slabs could be a problem. We continue to be most concerned about the deep persistent slab problem, wet avalanches in the coming weeks, and cornice fall.
Deep persistent slab
This problem continues to linger and although less of a problem now, expect that to change with the next wind event, loading event, or sudden increase in temperature. Since January, we have seen intermittent remotely and human triggered avalanches, mostly by large loads such as snow machines, failing on this early January facets weak layer. This problem is a result of poor structure and exists on all aspects, and all elevations. Most common locations to trigger this problem will continue to be East to South to West below 3800′. Persistent slabs may be 1-4 feet deep.
Wet-loose
Cool temperatures have kept wet avalanches to a minimum. Expect more wet-loose activity once temperatures consistently rise above freezing. If crusts soften, become punchy and saturated, wet loose sluffs will be easy to trigger, most likely on SE to SW aspects at all elevations, although more likely at low and mid elevations. Rollerballs are also a sign of warming and time to move to cooler terrain.
Cornice fall
Cornices are unpredictable, large, and continue to hover over many leeward aspects making route choice challenging and dangerous. Please continue to give cornices a wide berth and reduce exposure below them. It will be possible for cornice fall to trigger the deep persistent slab problem.
