Observations

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Forecast Center Observation

Date2020-05-22
LocationEastern Alaska Range
ObserverDavid Hickle
AvalancheN

General Observations

Garrett Hallett and I had a fun day in the McCallum Creek area catching the last of the spring corn.  The snow was slush up to ~ 4300' at 9 AM, then hardened above 4300' on north-facing slopes.  South-facing slopes haven't refrozen in a few days and were thawing to a depth of 2-3', north-facing…

 
Date2020-03-15
LocationEastern Alaska Range
ObserverRyan Tansey
AvalancheN

General Observations

Skinned about 4 miles up Fossil Creek south of Rainbow Ridge on 3/15.  Temperature around 15 degrees, little to no wind.  We observed evidence of heavy wind loading on southeast facing slopes at most elevations; as a result, many large cornices have formed on those aspects (one example included in the below photo).   However,…

 
Date2020-02-26
LocationEastern Alaska Range
ObserverInaugural Maclaren Lodge Avy 1
AvalancheN

General Observations

During our first ride day of our snowmachine based avalanche 1 class at Maclaren Lodge we rode to the Cotton Drainage near the Maclaren Glacier. About 2 inches of fresh snow had fallen overnight at the lodge. We observed several natural avalanches on wind loaded terrain steeper than 35 degrees. These avalanches were D1 in size and consisted of the…

 

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The 2019-2020 Season is underway. The Eastern Alaska Range does not post regular forecasts at this time. Please view observations for the most current information.

Forecast as of 10/22/2019 at 09:00 and expires on 5/31/2020

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Above 4,000ftNone

3,000 to 4,000ftNone

Below 3,000ftNone

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Eastern Alaska Range Avalanche Center (EARAC)

Overview of Eastern Alaska Range areaFounded in 2015 The Eastern Alaska Range Avalanche Center (EARAC) is a community funded avalanche center that focuses on the fantastic Eastern Alaska Range. Our mission is to promote education, develop a robust observer network, and improve the meteorological resources in the area. It is important to note that we will not be offering avalanche forecasting; though it is a long term goal. We are happy to be a part of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center's network of Avalanche Centers around the state.

 

Education: EARAC utilizes local and statewide instructors to facilitate all levels of avalanche education; from avalanche awareness and companion rescue skills up to 4 day Level 2 courses. We offer courses to many local communities including Tok, Delta Junction, Eielson AFB, Fairbanks and Nenana. Have an idea for a course you'd like to see? Let us know!

Observer Network: As an area without an avalanche forecast, user observations are critical to help other users make educated choices about the snowpack. Share what you see; any contribution is a good contribution! Simply sharing a photo from your trip gives other users useful information. How was the snow? Was there a fresh dump? If so, how much? Where were you when you took the photo or swam around in waist deep pow? Did you notice any red flags like recent avalanches or whumping snow?

Please contribute your avalanche, snow and weather observations here or on the EARAC Facebook page!

Weather Resources:  We're working to consolidate and improve weather resources in the area so that you can have an idea of what has been happening to the snowpack before you even leave home. Area weather stations can tell you about recent snow, wind events, and temperatures. 

Area Information



Are you planning a trip into the Eastern Alaska Range? It can sometimes be hard to find information about our area. Powder Project (Left) is a great new way to share routes and ski areas. Below is a small list of our commonly used resources we use when trip planning. 

ArcticDEM Explorer is a fantastic web tool with high-resolution elevation information.

UAF's GeoData Center is located in the Akasofu Building and is a great place to purchase maps and imagery.

Google Earth.

Our weather page.

Do you have another great resource? Let us know!

 

Staff & Volunteers

Phillip Wilson

Advisory Board Chairperson

Phillip was born in a log cabin in Delta Junction and grew up exploring the vast wilderness of Alaska. Currently pursuing his Bachelors degree in Geoscience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Phillip is passionate about building the outdoor community by increasing the resources and information available to the people who recreate in the mountains of Interior Alaska.

Mark Oldmixon

Advisory Board Treasurer

Skiing as young kid Mark learned to love the fresh air. Mark moved to Alaska in 2006 to pursue his dream of teaching Outdoor Education at University of Alaska of Fairbanks. He and his family work hard and play hard.

Jenna Zechmann

Advisory Board Secretary

Jenna likes ski mountaineering but sometimes you only make it to the tundra before you have to turn around because your backpack is 70 lbs and you are too slow and your partner cannot miss work. Since 2014 Jenna has been living in Fairbanks and studying glaciers as a graduate student.

Mike Hopper

Advisory Board Community Member

Mike Hopper is an avalanche survivor who runs The Lodge at Black Rapids. He has been recreating in the Eastern Alaska Range for years and is an experience backcountry skier and mountaineer; laying down hundreds of first descents throughout the area.

Erica Lamb

Advisory Board Community Member

Erica moved to Alaska in search of (mis)adventure, which she regularly finds on skis and in the mountains. More a climber than a skier, Erica has survival skied throughout the Deltas and is president of the Alaska Alpine Club, regularly teaching and leading trips. A hydrologist by day, Erica gets really excited about snow science and is always looking to learn more!

Mark Lockwood

Advisory Board Community Member

Mark began skiing and climbing in the mid-70’s. Since 1980 he has lived in Alaska, working as a geologist, specializing in extreme terrain access. He is also the president of the Fairbanks Alpine Ski Club and the former president of the Alaskan Alpine Club and the Alaska Alpine Rescue Group. Mark has presented avalanche awareness training to the public for the Alaska Mountain Safety Center and the North American Outdoor Institute beginning in 2003.

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