Summit & Central Kenai Mtns

Recent Avalanches: Glide cracks continue to be opening and causing avalanches throughout the Summit area. These have been seen in the past 7 days on Summit Peak, South Gilpatrick Peak, Spirit Walker, Tri-Tip and Fresno Peak. Otherwise, several natural wind slab avalanches triggered from high winds last week were seen on Butch Peak, Tenderfoot, and Tri-Tip. A large crown was observed on Tri-Tips north face. From the size of the crown and debris this may have failed on a buried weak layer. 

Weather Recap: Little to no new snow fell in Summit last weekend. For the rest of the week, a high pressure air mass created sunny skies and cold temperatures in the negatives to mid teens in valley bottoms. Temperatures along ridgelines have been in the 20s F. On Tuesday and Wednesday outflow winds, out of the north, blew up to 80 mph,

Weather Forecast: The high pressure system over the region is expected to continue to bring mostly clear skies and no expected new snow. Some clouds may move in on Sunday morning with patches of sunshine. Light and variable winds are expected Saturday. Easterly winds are expected on Sunday averaging 5-10 with the possibility of 15 mph winds on the ridges. Temperatures over the weekend look to be in the negatives in the morning to mid teens in the afternoon with Sunday being a bit colder in the morning. A temperature inversion may continue to create slightly warmer temperatures at higher elevations.

Two natural avalanches likely from the wind event on 1.17 and a glide avalanche probably releasing the night of 1.17 on Tri-Tip.  Photo by Paul Wunnicke 1.18.2024

New glide cracks and glide avalanches are being reported on a regular basis all across the Summit Pass area. There is a glide avalanche on Fresno that is very close to where people recreate. Also, a glide avalanche on Tri-Tip released in what appears to be a lower slope angle than what we have seen. The point is that glide avalanches are now occurring on aspects and slope angles in places where people are recreating. 

It is important to minimize exposure under these glide cracks because they are very large, release spontaneously, and can send debris to lower angle terrain. It can also be hard to see old glide cracks when they get buried by fresh or wind deposited snow.  If you are unsure where glide cracks are, choose routes that minimize overhead hazard and pick safe spots carefully, spending as little time as possible under steep terrain. 

Other than the glide avalanche issue, there could be some old stubborn wind slabs on steep wind loaded features. Soft pockets of snow may be hard to find as last week’s winds replaced soft snow with firm wind affected snow on any aspect not protected by the wind.  Look for red flags such as shooting cracks from underneath you and stiff hollow feeling snow. Even though triggering an avalanche is unlikely, it’s good to practice safe travel protocols, such as exposing one person at a time, watching your partners from safe zones, and having escape routes in mind. 

Glide avalanche releasing on 1.14 on Fresno which is just to the right of where a lot of people recreate. 1.15.2024

Winds removing snow to bare ground (windward slope) and depositing snow into fresh wind slabs (leeward slopes) 1.16.2024

Facets above and below the Thanksgiving crust and weak facets buried at the ground are two layers we are keeping our eye on. In the past several weeks there have been no known avalanches on these weak layers. However, the avalanche pictured below looks to be deep enough that it may have released on a buried weak layer. Areas that we are watching include higher elevations and shallower snowpacks. These layers are not likely to cause an avalanche, but if heading into steep big terrain it is something to keep in mind. 

Avalanche on the north face of Tri-Tip suspected to of released 1.14. Photo by Evan Kreps 1.15.2024