Avalanche danger high in Hatcher Pass

PALMER — With winter conditions finally arriving in the Valley, many outdoors enthusiasts may be heading to the mountains for winter fun. However, the new snowfall has made faces in Hatcher Pass extremely dangerous and prone to avalanche.

A video of an ECT test put out by the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center shows the danger of the snow conditions. With about two feet of snow in most areas, 30 centimeters of new snow packed on top of 30 centimeters of older snow, which consists of firm melt-freeze crust over loose basal facets.

Three human triggered avalanches were documented this weekend alone on Hatch Peak, Skyscraper, and Marmot Peak, according to the Alaska Avalanche Center. There was a skier caught in partial burial during the avalanche on Hatch Peak on December 6, but they were rescued without injury. The human triggered avalanche on Marmot occurred on December 9 between 3,600 and 3,900 feet.

“Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered are likely. Remotely triggered avalanches will continue to be possible, and indicate an unstable snowpack, where you will be able to trigger avalanches from below or adjacent to a slope,” reads a report on Hatcher Pass avalanche conditions on Alaskasnow.org.

The report advises that terrain less than 25 degrees is safe.