The Eastern Alaska Range Avalanche Center (EARAC) has been the primary source for avalanche and snow condition information in the area and this year they’ve expanded their ability to provide such information by creating a new avalanche professional position to monitor the area.
has been the primary source for avalanche and snow condition information in the area and this year they’ve expanded their ability to provide such information by creating a new avalanche professional position to monitor the area.
Not only is it a new development for EARAC, but it bolsters the safety for those that seek adventure in the Eastern Alaska Range. With a longer season and more areas that see less traffic, the Eastern Alaska Range is an enticing area for back country enthusiasts from around the state. However, it’s also an area that has far fewer avalanche safety resources compared to Southcentral Alaska. Actions are being taken to make the area safer for those that explore the area. “Prevention is the best thing you can do, whether that’s keeping your fingers warm or staying off, you know, a slope that’s about to trigger because the consequences are a lot bigger,” said Andrew Doughty, the avalanche professional that now monitors the area. “We’re a lot farther away from the hospital, you’re a lot farther away from the trailhead and there’s just like less people around.” That is what Doughty said when comparing the conditions of the Eastern Alaska Range to that of the mountains in Southcentral Alaska. “If an incident happens in Turnagain on Seattle Ridge, you’ve probably got 50 Moto users that can be there in like 10 minutes,” he explained. Lower numbers of backcountry users in the Eastern Alaska Range means that a timely rescue is unlikely. That’s why EARAC focuses on “empowering that individual user,” with information and letting people make their own judgments about going into the backcountry. “Most people have been, if they’ve already been recreating in the Deltas, they’re used to being their own forecaster and they’re used to having that and so one big thing I focus on with my messaging is, ‘hey, how can you go test in the area that you’re going,’” Doughty explained. He added EARAC also lacks the same resources and frequency of users as seen by the “Ninety-five percent of our user group is there Saturday, Sunday, and so we’ve got this big gap that I do my best to fill, but ultimately I’m just one guy with my field partners and the Alaska range is huge.” Still, the addition of Doughty’s position is a significant change for EARAC, which previously relied on users reporting what they saw while in the backcountry. Working with other professionals such as those that monitor conditions at Hatchers and Turnagain Pass, Doughty is able to provide better guidance and more consistent updates than EARAC previously could.. But further fundraising is also utilized and needed to further improve condition reporting in the Eastern Alaska Range. “It’s definitely a grassroots effort because we don’t currently have a super reliable funding,” Doughty said.has been one of those businesses this season and it’s a benefit that brings more than just money for EARAC. “The dollar amount is awesome, but you also just incorporated outreach to the community,” said Doughty.“If I’m not down in the field, I can look at those weather stations and see what’s happening,” he said. One of the things EARAC is working on now is setting up a webcam at the Gulkana station, allowing users to see how the area looks and how snow is moving.“I think the goal right now is to maintain the position at a minimum,” Doughty said. “All the grants that we had this last year are not reoccurring payments. So, we’re trying to find those consistent resources, build up these consistent business partners to where they’re getting something out of it, they’re getting something out of it, and we have a sustainable funding platform.” Doughty added that a long-term goal for EARAC is sustainable growth that allows them to slowly improve operations without having to reduce the services that improve safety.An Anchorage woman froze to death. A lawsuit claims a 911 dispatcher failed to get her urgent help.‘Every fiber of me wishes I could change it all’: Veteran musher posts tribute to dog who died during IditarodKetchikan grieves loss of sophomore athlete Kali Jones
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