Avalanches continue to occur in Hatcher Pass

HATCHER PASS — One week after a D2-2.5 avalanche slid down slopes in Hatcher Pass and closed the road, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will close the road on Saturday night at 9 p.m., due to increased concern about road safety as a result of the incoming snow storm.

While no new snow fell in Hatcher Pass on Saturday, avalanches have been consistently reported all week following the largest avalanche in Hatcher Pass this winter that occurred last week.

"The avalanche danger is considerable today and could rise to high this evening through Sunday as a huge storm is expected to deposit 18 to 28 inches of snow thru Sunday evening . It will be likely to human trigger avalanches today on all aspects, at all elevations. Several human triggered avalanches were reported on Thursday and Friday, large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. Dangerous conditions exist. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential," wrote Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center forecaster Allie Barker on Saturday.

Though there was no new snow reported, a significant rise in temperatures has decreased snowpack stability. On April 2, a 'powder blast' human-triggered avalanche occurred across the Little Susitna River from Skeetawk near mile 10.6 of Palmer-Fishhook Road. No injuries or deaths have been reported recently due to avalanches.