Three Hikers Caught In Massive Avalanche in Alaska's Chugach Range

On April 25, 2026, three hikers triggered an avalanche in Alaska's Chugach Mountain range.

The hikers were caught and carried in the D3 avalanche, and reports from the Chugach Avalanche Center said that multiple hikers sustained injuries in the slide, but all three made it out alive. Another group recreating in the area responded to the avalanche, along with AMRG, Alaska State Troopers, and Chugach State Park Employees.

The slide occurred on a steep, wind-loaded slope on a northeast aspect on the back side of Peak 3 at around 2,300 feet of elevation. The snowpack failed on a layer of depth hoar that was close to the ground. The slide crown averaged 3-6 feet deep and propagated 450 feet wide, while running about 1,200 feet downhill. Debris piles were up to 13 feet deep.

Further investigation of the site found that the debris had set up like concrete and contained broken tree trunks and large blocks of snow, indicating slope failure on a deep, persistent slab and significant potential for destruction. Moisture was also present at the base of the snowpack, which indicated water percolation and rounding of basal facets.

See below for a report from a Chugach Avalanche Center forecaster.