Forecast Center Observation

Date | 2020-12-13 |
Location | Eastern Alaska Range |
Observer | David Hickle |
Avalanche | N |
General Observations
We sledded in from the Richardson Monument towards the Gulkana Glacier. Our goal was to snowmachine to the toe then ski up to the USGS hut, but we ran out of snow halfway between the suspension bridge and the glacier. We skinned up the glacier about a mile short of the USGS hut then ran…

Date | 2020-12-13 |
Location | Eastern Alaska Range |
Observer | Ryan Tansey |
Avalanche | N |
General Observations
Took a snow machine up red rock canyon road and skied on the Rainbow Glacier. Approximately 27 F on the glacier. The snow was a breakable wind slab on top of deep facets. We dug one pit in a wind loaded slope in the process of digging out our snow machine. No freeze crust, however…

Date | 2020-12-12 |
Location | Eastern Alaska Range |
Observer | Phillip Raymond Wilson |
Avalanche | N |
General Observations
Skied about halfway up Michael Creek. There are still lots of open holes, and we made a few new holes, but there is also deep drifted snow in the creek bed so travel was pretty easy with minimal bushwhacking. Peaks and ridges right along the Delta River valley are rather wind hammered, but it looks…
Current Advisory Level
NoneAbove 4,000ftNone
3,000 to 4,000ftNone
Below 3,000ftNone
Eastern Alaska Range Avalanche Center (EARAC)
Founded 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: Â 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.Â
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.
Do you have another great resource? Let us know!
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Staff & Volunteers

Phillip Wilson
Advisory Board Chairperson

Mark Oldmixon
Advisory Board Treasurer

Jenna Zechmann
Advisory Board Secretary

Mike Hopper
Advisory Board Community Member

Erica Lamb
Advisory Board Community Member

Mark Lockwood
Advisory Board Community Member
Sponsors

