Near Miss: Chugach State Park

Northeast Face Peak 3 – Accident Report
Chugach State Park, Anchorage, Alaska

Location: NE Aspect of Peak 3/Powerline Pass trail
Lat/Lon: 61.08030, -149.64647
Date: April 25, 2026 Time: 16:22
Report by: Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center (CNFAC)
Contact: staff@chugachavalanche.org Website: www.ChugachAvalanche.org

Synopsis

Three hikers caught, carried, two partial burials and several sustained injuries.

Avalanche Summary

A group of five hikers triggered a large avalanche while descending the north side of Peak 3. Three of the members of the group were caught and carried up to 700 feet downslope, while two remained above the crown of the avalanche when the slope released. The avalanche was approximately 425′ wide and ran 1100′ vertical, with a debris pile that was 6 to 8′ deep and buried about 100′ of the Powerline Pass trail. The crown was 2.5′ deep on average. At least one member of the group was nearly fully buried. No members of the group had avalanche transceivers or rescue gear. Kite skiers recreating nearby were able to visually find and excavate the hikers, and rescue was coordinated by the Alaska State Troopers.

Avalanche Information

Type: Hard Slab
Problem/Character: Persistent Slab
Crown Depth: 2.5′
Width: 425’
Vertical Run: 1100’
Trigger: Hiker
Aspect: Northeast
Elevation: 3500’ at crown, 2400′ at runout
Slope Characteristics: Planar gulley, crown in rocky terrain.  Sparse trees, alders, and tundra in slide path.
Code: HS-AFu-R4-D3-O
Weak Layer: Depth hoar near the ground and a layer of facets 30cm from ground. Buried by a wind slab of unknown total depth at trigger point.

Backcountry Avalanche Forecast

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center rated avalanche danger as CONSIDERABLE at and above treeline. The forecast noted that “It is likely a person could trigger an avalanche 1 to 2′ deep where recent winds have drifted snow into reactive slabs. These may have formed in unusual places, so pay close attention to warning signs like shooting cracks or collapsing as you travel. This fresh round of new and windblown snow is sitting on top of a problematic snowpack with several known weak layers which may produce much larger avalanches. Travel with caution, and consider avoiding traveling on or below steep terrain while the snowpack adjusts.”

Weather and Snowpack Summary

The avalanche failed on multiple layers, likely initiating as a wind slab over facets before stepping down into deeper weak layers, including a layer of depth hoar near the ground. The avalanche entrained wet snow as it ran into lower elevations, increasing its mass and destructive potential. Debris was dense, hard, and composed of large blocks and broken timber.

A combination of sustained high winds, warming temperatures, and precipitation added stress to a weak snowpack during the 24 hours preceding the accident. This overloaded multiple persistent weak layers, including a layer of depth hoar on the ground and a layer of facets that formed during a prolonged cold, clear period back in December. Nearby observations included a recent large avalanche to the east (likely within the past day).

Teams from AMRG and CNFAC investigated the avalanche, digging two crown profiles on the flank of the avalanche at ~2,800′ to avoid hangfire. Both confirmed poor snowpack structure with unstable test results (ECTP13-SC-105cm down on depth hoar under old thin slab), highlighting depth hoar and December facets as primary concerns. There was moisture throughout the snowpack, with water percolating to the ground and weakening basal layers. At lower elevations (~2,200’–2,400′), the snowpack was saturated with water.

Rescue Summary

Two kite skiers in the valley witnessed the incident — seeing the avalanche, then hearing shouting from the debris and above the crown — and were first on scene. One hiker was on the surface, a second was buried waist deep, and a third was almost entirely buried with an arm free. The partially buried hikers sustained possible leg and rib injuries. Presumably nobody had buried or blocked airways. The kite skiers were able to visually find the partially buried hikers and excavate them, and then determine that all members of the hiking party were accounted for. Simultaneously the members of the hiking party that remained above the crown initiated a search and rescue response via InReach. Alaska State Troopers reached the scene by snowmachine from the Glen Alps trailhead and evacuated the 3 hikers with support from Chugach State Park and the Anchorage Fire Department. As the initial report had indicated a possible multiple burial incident, a large response was initiated with teams deploying from Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Thank you to the people involved for sharing information to help compile this report.

News articles:

https://www.adn.com/outdoors-adventure/2026/04/27/multiple-hikers-caught-in-chugach-state-park-avalanche-are-rescued-as-spring-hazards-persist/