Snow blocks road to Hatcher Pass; 10 stranded at lodge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Two avalanches have stranded about 10 people at a lodge outside an Alaska state park.

Anchorage television station KTVA reports avalanches Monday morning blocked the road leading to Hatcher Pass.

Hatcher Pass Lodge operator Hap Wurlitzer says the lodge has seven guests and is prepared with plenty of food and fuel.

Alaska Department of Transportation spokeswoman Shannon McCarthy says snow from the lower avalanche covered 100 feet (30.5 metres) of road with 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 metres) of snow.

She says plows could not start clearing work immediately because of continued avalanche danger.

The department says the road closure is expected to last at least 24 hours.

The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center says 11 inches (28 centimetres) of new snow fell overnight and more snow was expected Monday.

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Information from: KTVA-TV, http://www.ktva.com