The Wind Advisery forecast for Turnagain Pass had me thinking about other options. Normally Hatcher Pass would be the answer, but it has forgoten to snow there so far this year. I was hearing good things about Hiland Road in Eagle River and decided to check it out.
There's a perfect plowed pull-out in the runout of a 1,300' couloir on the NE side of the road. There was about 8" of snow at the pull-out (2,000'), but conditions improved rapidily above 2,800'. The couloir eventually tops out on a ridge and continues up to a peak (~4,600') 1 mile NW of Harp Mountain.
Pit Results: NW aspect, 35°, 3,500', Mostly cloudy, wind out of the East
Depth: 59 cm
CT 28 Q2 at 31cm
The snow looked excellent and the light decided to cooperate. Unfortunately there are thousands of sharks lurking just below the surface. Plink, plink. There just isn't enough base at Hiland to let 'em run. Skiers' left in the couloir was better; it was loaded with about 3' of wind blown cream. The bottom 800' was slow and stressful due to the lack of base at this elevation.
There's a perfect plowed pull-out in the runout of a 1,300' couloir on the NE side of the road. There was about 8" of snow at the pull-out (2,000'), but conditions improved rapidily above 2,800'. The couloir eventually tops out on a ridge and continues up to a peak (~4,600') 1 mile NW of Harp Mountain.
Pit Results: NW aspect, 35°, 3,500', Mostly cloudy, wind out of the East
Depth: 59 cm
CT 28 Q2 at 31cm
The snow looked excellent and the light decided to cooperate. Unfortunately there are thousands of sharks lurking just below the surface. Plink, plink. There just isn't enough base at Hiland to let 'em run. Skiers' left in the couloir was better; it was loaded with about 3' of wind blown cream. The bottom 800' was slow and stressful due to the lack of base at this elevation.
Looking SW into the State Park
Top of 3 Bowls
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