04/22/2026
Near miss on Loveland Peak – 4/18/26
Here is what we have ascertained from a snowmachine-triggered avalanche on April 18.
A rider traveling up the commonly used Loveland uptrack did not stop at the summit ridge and inadvertently continued onto the south face of Loveland Peak. The impact triggered a large D3 avalanche estimated to be ~1400 ft wide and running ~1600 vertical feet through rock bands.
Crown depth was estimated between 16 inches and 2 feet, though cloud cover made observations challenging. The primary debris flow appears to have triggered a secondary avalanche in the lower third of the path, with debris deposits reported up to 4.5 feet deep.
The involved rider was able to arrest on the bed surface, climb back to the ridge, and travel on foot toward the highway, where they were picked up by another snowmachine and transported to DOT.
Several riders witnessed the event and quickly notified experienced snow professionals and local responders. A rescue party initiated a beacon search at the toe of the debris after confirming the rider could not be visually identified from above. Search efforts were halted once the group learned the rider had safely exited the path.
Conditions at the time of the incident were rated CONSIDERABLE at all elevations. A foot or more of new snow was poorly bonded to older surfaces, and deeper weak layers remain a concern. Since the avalanche, we have received an additional 1+ feet of new snow, and dangerous avalanche conditions persist.
More details on current conditions can be found at alaskasnow.org/valdez. The next forecast will be posted Wednesday 4/22 at 8am.
Thank you to Jeremy Hanke () of (Revelstoke, BC) for sharing observations and the detailed image.
Image description: Red line: Primary and secondary crown. Purple Area: Bed surface. Yelow area: Primary debris fields. Green area: secondary debris field. Black line: path of snowmachine travel of rescuer. Pink line: On foot line of travel of rescuer performing initial signal search. Small green circle: Location of spotting/ safety team as hang fire remained on the slope above.
