Deadly season leads to increased avalanche education efforts

The first workshop — focusing on avalanche rescue — is set for Saturday, Feb. 13, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Gold Mint trailhead parking lot off Palmer-Fishhook Road. Sponsored by the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center, Friends of the Chugach National Forest avalanche forecasters, Alaska Avalanche School, Alaska Avalanche Information Center, Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club and the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the workshop will give participants the opportunity to practice with their avalanche beacons and probes, learn strategic shoveling techniques and meet local forecasters.

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center forecaster Allie Barker said in an email that the workshop is open to all types of backcountry users. No signup is required.

“We will teach an organized, systems-based approach to rescue,” Barker said. “We will demo, then split up in groups and practice, teaching people how to properly carry and operate rescue gear.”

Barker said participants should bring their rescue gear, which should include an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe. Equipment will also be available to borrow.

The avalanche awareness class, scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Palmer High School Library, will be hosted by the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center in partnership with Friends of the Chugach National Forest avalanche forecasters. According to Barker, avalanche specialist Aleph Johnston-Bloom will lead the class, which will be geared toward anyone traveling in Alaska’s winter backcountry.

Topics will focus on essential avalanche rescue gear, clues to unstable snow, travel techniques for motorized and nonmotorized users and where to find more local information.

Barker said the goal of the class is to create better-informed backcountry travelers, adding that participants will learn the “ability to recognize avalanche terrain, to learn the avalanche red flags, know how to access the local avalanche advisory and where they can go to get more education.” 

For more information on either event, visit the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center website at www.hatcherpassavalanchecenter.org

Avalanche center fundraiser set for Feb. 20

WASILLA — The annual Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center fundraiser has been set for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Government Peak Recreation Area chalet. Billed as a “cabin fever reliever” with beer and music, proceeds benefit the avalanche center’s mission of backcountry forecasting and education.

The event will feature the music of High Lonesome Sound, beer from Broken Tooth and Arkose breweries and a silent auction with avalanche rescue gear, backcountry gear and contributions from local merchants.

“There also will be gift certificates for plane flights, local restaurants, massage, and there are more auction items to come,” said Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center forecaster Allie Barker, “and there will be a slide show from local Kirsten Kremer on Las Lenas and Valdez (heli-skiing.)”

Tickets are $20, cash only, and are available at Backcountry Bike and Ski in Palmer and Hoarding Marmot in Anchorage.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com