Haines AK conditions?

[Capatain]

I posted this in the snow conditions forum and got nothing, I was hoping the larger audience here might be able to help.

I am trying to decide whether or not to make my first pilgrimage to AK this spring, but I can't seem to find any sort of info on their snow pack.

If anybody knows whats happening up there or knows of a resource where I can find out I'd appreciate the help.

[wcf3]

Conditions now won't have a lot to say about conditions in the spring. It's not like there is an issue about whether there will be enough snow. (Many coastal areas in AK average 1000 inches or more a year). Being a classic coastal snowpack, stability issues also tend to be fairly short lived, so whatever might be going on there now probably won't have much effect on late season conditions.

If you are still interested in investigating this, you might want to try a PM to either Ted Shred or stalefish3169. They both guide for Haines' outfits and might give you some feedback.

[Keith Wigdor]

for god sakes, man! go to haines!

[Keith Wigdor]

for god sakes, man! don't go to haines!

[Mathematics]

Currently winter-like conditions in Haines. Nothing to get excited about. Stay in CO, thats where the gnar is.

[montanamike]

just plan on going. its probably going to be the best runs of your life.

[mountaingeist]

I've been hearing both haines operators are almost fully booked.I would give them a call ( and ask for yourself)before you wait to long

[mountaingeist]

The closest weather updates I know of are from Juneau, from APD heliskiing alaskapowder.com and click on there weather page. They also report on conditions on weekly basis on facebook/twitter.The UAS telematry link is @ about 1900' at the ski area.There's also a juneau bx blog that might be linked from that site as well.

[mountaingeist]

Also to let you know it's only a looking at very low elevation and doesn't reflect what is going on up in the high country.

[highangle]

I posted this in the snow conditions forum and got nothing, I was hoping the larger audience here might be able to help.

I am trying to decide whether or not to make my first pilgrimage to AK this spring, but I can't seem to find any sort of info on their snow pack.

If anybody knows whats happening up there or knows of a resource where I can find out I'd appreciate the help.

if you think Haines in April might be a letdown, you are probably too stupid to earn the $$ for the trip

either that, or your brain has problems processing concepts and you think everywhere else in the world is just like where you happen to be at that moment

either way, you'll probably be a liability to the other skiers because you'll condemn everyone else on the heli to bunny humps due to lowering the LCD of the group

either do a little research and ask intelligent questions, or spend ur ten thousand dollars on remedial education in geography

[stalefish3169]

I'm setting up a weather station at about 4500' in the heart of the Haines heli zone in a couple of weeks. I hope to have real-time data viewable online by the middle of February. I'll post the link when it's up and running.

Haines customs (el 800') near 38 mile is reporting about 60" right now:

http://pajk.arh.noaa.gov/arhdata/val...lic/ASAK67PAJK

However, snowline has been hovering at about 1000' most of the winter, so it is deep up high. The persistent El Nino split jet stream has been sending plenty of juice to Southeast AK this winter.

I wouldn't put much faith in the Eaglecrest conditions as a Haines proxy. Haines and Juneau have distinctly different climates.

[mountaingeist]

Stalefish, I agree Eaglecrest doesn't translate to Haines, but until someone actually puts a weather station up/maintains it in Haines that's about as close as your gonna get.Awesome your taking the that on as a project.please post a link when it's up.

[Ted Shred]

-----------------
AKZ019-071600-
HAINES BOROUGH AND LYNN CANAL-
INCLUDING...HAINES
400 PM AKST WED JAN 6 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...
.TONIGHT...SNOW DIMINISHING LATE. SNOW ACCUMULATION 3 TO 5
INCHES. TEMPERATURES RISING TO THE MID 20S. LIGHT WINDS.
.THURSDAY...SNOW. SNOW ACCUMULATION 1 TO 3 INCHES.
HIGHS AROUND 30. LIGHT WINDS. CHANCE OF SNOW 90 PERCENT.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...SNOW AND RAIN. SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 3
INCHES. SNOW LEVEL RISING TO 600 FEET LATE. LOWS AROUND 32.
NORTHEAST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION
90 PERCENT.
.FRIDAY...RAIN LIKELY. BREEZY. HIGHS AROUND 38.
EAST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 80 PERCENT.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW.
LOWS AROUND 31. NORTHEAST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH.
.SATURDAY...A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. WINDY. HIGHS AROUND
35.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...SNOW LIKELY. WINDY. LOWS AROUND 25.
.SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT...RAIN. HIGHS AROUND 39. LOWS AROUND 32.
.MONDAY...RAIN AND SNOW LIKELY. HIGHS AROUND 38.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...RAIN AND SNOW LIKELY. LOWS AROUND 31.
HIGHS AROUND 36.
.TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...SNOW AND RAIN LIKELY. LOWS AROUND
28. HIGHS AROUND 34.

[stalefish3169]

Stalefish, I agree Eaglecrest doesn't translate to Haines, but until someone actually puts a weather station up/maintains it in Haines that's about as close as your gonna get.Awesome your taking the that on as a project.please post a link when it's up.

Well, I have to admit I still check the Eaglecrest site regularly.

I'll definitely get the Haines link up ASAP; it's long overdue.

[ak_powder_monkey]

The difference in total precip from Juneau to Haines is over 100" thats ~ 1" of rain less per mile north. Its all about micro climates in SEAK heck the difference between the snowpack on the mainland and the snowpack on douglas island is huge.

I wouldn't characterize haines as a marinetime snowpack, its a hybred, with long periods of Arctic air promoting facet growth throughout the snowpack. This year might have some spring time stability issues because of some extended periods of high presser this fall, although stability has been generally good up until now. Regaurdless if you have to coin go to haines, where you will either have a great time or sit around and do nothing.

[media310]

T-Top 4/19/08


Deflowered 4/16/09

We have scored great snow over 2 week periods in April the past 2 season.. That being said we are looking at trying to come earlier this year. (March maybe..)

[Boarding Medic]

http://www.thompsonpass.com/

Good up to date report on thompson pass area
Long way from Haines but better than nothing

[mantraskier]

will be in Haines May 14th for a month for an IWLS course...should be in for a while town before and after, would be cool if any mags will be around

[expeditionbroker]

Current Conditions from my desk in my office on 2nd Ave in Haines:
Attachment 71271
But Seriously: As has been stated previously, weather changes here so quickly and with our varied micro-climates, the only way to score is to be in town and ready to fly. AK Heli did a great job of posting reports throughout the season last year on their site, and it sounds like Matt and SEABA are working on a huge bonus for the valley with a weather station.
I work closely with a fixed-wing pilot in town who has a good finger on the pulse as well for anyone looking for added adventure.

Still means you need to be here to make it happen. So make it happen Captain.

Some additional pretty pics from my flight up from Juneau last week:
Attachment 71272
Attachment 71273
Attachment 71274

[Keith Wigdor]

CAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Keith Wigdor]

CAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dps]

matt, that's rad news on the weather station. would be a sweet asset for sure- nice work! where will it be?

[stalefish3169]

matt, that's rad news on the weather station. would be a sweet asset for sure- nice work! where will it be?

Glad to hear the stoke factor is high.

The WX station will be on a peak that rhymes with bold grateful.

I'm going to order the equipment tomorrow or Tuesday. Instrumentation to measure temperature, RH, snow water equivalent, and wind speed/direction will be included. I'm also leaning towards adding some web cams if I have enough cheddar.

[DC#1]

http://www.thompsonpass.com/

Good up to date report on thompson pass area
Long way from Haines but better than nothing

i can say that the mountains around Valdez are setting up to have a great spring. i was there yesterday (the pictures on Thompson passes web site are of me and my uncle).

[Ted Shred]

Good size storm as we speak!