We parked at the Hatcher Pass Lodge and skied up the road (snowmobile trail in the winter) to the top of Hatcher pass. From the lodge to the top is probably about 4K and rises about 800 feet. This is the final pitch on the ski up.

Scott and Martin taking a short break on their way up.

Heading down the other side of the pass towards Willow. The first part of the descent is a screamer - got my altimeter up to a descent rate of 489 ft/minute. One you pass this mine, it becomes a lot more gradual.

Scott practices his railslide.

As we headed down in elevation, we managed to find a good bit of crust. Unfortunately, as Scott was crossing a small stream, the crust gave out and he fell and broke his pole. Then he had to ski about 1800 vertical feet back to the top with one pole.

Scott and Martin enjoy the view on a beautiful sunny day.

Climbing up from the Willow side towards Hatcher Pass.

Thats me, heading up the hill.

A nice shot of me, almost at the top.

A view from the top of Hatcher Pass, looking southwest towards Willow.

Pointing them straight, getting ready for the downhill.

Scott gets ready to drop in on the descent. About 20 seconds after this picture was taken, Scott had a spectacular faceplant on the downhill at about 30 mph.

I'm about to follow Scott down, but when I saw his yard-sale, I decided to throw in a few turns rather than tuck the whole thing like he did.

Martin cruises back down towards Hatcher Pass Lodge.

Hatcher Pass Lodge

The final part of the descent, looking up into Independence Mine area.

Independence Mine. This is where we ski in the early season when there is no snow in Anchorage

After reaching the Lodge, Martin offered to drive the car down the road so that Scott and I could get in another 1000 vertical feet or so on the snowmobile trail.

The crust was pretty good down below, so we jumped off trail quite often