Spring Surprises
Contributed by Debra McGhan
This wild winter, with unusually warm temperatures and little precipitation, has created new challenges across Alaska. Trails have turned into icy hazards, and avalanche danger has increased due to a weak, unconsolidated snowpack and deeply buried weak layers.
If you’re ready to switch from snowmachines to dirt bikes, you’re not alone. What’s going on?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted this warmer, drier weather pattern last fall. “Alaska is at the forefront of climate change,” said climate experts at the United States Department of Agriculture. “As a result, the state is warming at two to three times the global average. A southerly flow of air from the Pacific Ocean, a slow-moving jet stream, and a ridge of high pressure have created unusually warm winters, melting snowpack, and reduced precipitation. “That sums up this winter in Alaska.
While less snow may speed up break-up, it also raises fire danger, creates hazardous spring snowpack for backcountry travelers (as three heli-skiers recently learned in the most tragic way), and threatens water supplies for those with shallow wells. We may not be able to control the situation, but awareness and preparation can make a difference.
If you’re heading into the backcountry, check current avalanche conditions and read first-hand observations at AlaskaSnow.org before you go. Always carry proper safety equipment, including emergency shelter, food, water, communications, beacon, shovel, probe, rope, and survival gear.
Educate yourself so you can recognize red flags and avoid hazards like weak ice, avalanche zones, wind loading, and terrain traps. “If you don’t know what to look for, you can easily walk into a trap,” warned Alaska Safe Riders Executive Director Mike Buck. “Take the time to attend a training class and explore the resources at AlaskaSafeRiders.org. Some of the simplest precautions can make a huge difference—and save your life.”
Lawrence Agosti learned that firsthand when he and his friends went snowmachining on the Kenai a few years ago. Although they had ridden in that area for years, a snowstorm disoriented them, forcing them to spend the night outside. Agosti admitted he hadn’t checked or replenished the emergency supplies he usually carried on his sled. “We basically had a couple of wet lighters, one survival blanket, and one heat pack between three grown men,” he said. “It was the worst night of my life.” Even the most experienced adventurers have made the same mistake—with far worse outcomes. “For us, it was a terrible experience,” said Agosti, “but we survived. And I learned a valuable lesson I don’t plan to repeat.”
That wasn’t the case in 2009 when two brothers went snowboarding in Hatcher Pass. They weren’t dressed for conditions that turned from a sunny afternoon into a windy, cold, wet night. The younger brother headed in the wrong direction and got caught in a terrain trap he couldn’t climb out of. With no survival gear or warm clothes, he succumbed to the cold before his brother could return with help.
“Anywhere in that country is hazardous,” said Alaska State Park Ranger Dan Amyot. “Even if you’re just a short distance from the bowl parking lot.” Buck agreed. “You have to be prepared to be your own rescuer. Never assume someone will be able to help you. This is a vast, unpredictable landscape. Search and rescue takes time to launch and get on scene, and if you’re in a survival situation, you may not have that luxury.”
Buck warned that this spring, deep, unstable layers beneath the snowpack pose serious risks for backcountry travelers. Warmer temperatures add another layer of uncertainty—and the potential for massive avalanches. “Take a few minutes to do a beacon search with your group,” Buck advised. “Electronics and snowmachines can interfere with search mode, so test your gear beforehand. Stay at least 10 feet away from your machine when searching.”
Don’t become a statistic this spring. Get more safety tips at AlaskaSafeRiders.org.