Summit & Central Kenai Mtns

October 16 UPDATE

Snow in the higher elevations!

Snow is starting to accumulate above 2,500′ but it’s still snow-free and fall-like in valley bottoms. A warm storm on the weekend of Oct 12-13 deposited anywhere from a foot to 3 feet of heavy dense snow in the upper elevations and of course heavy rain in the lower elevations. We have had a report from the first day after the storm on Oct 14 from Tincan (a big thanks to Joey Balog for passing along his photos!) and forecaster John Sykes was in the same area the next day, Oct 15. One striking aspect of the snowpack is it’s already oozing down the slopes and creating glide cracks and avalanches. Check out the photos:

Glide cracks and glide avalanches above treeline on Tincan. Photo by Joey Balog 10.14.24.

Glide crack in Tincan Common Bowl. Around 3 feet of snow exists at this elevation (~3,200′). Photo Joey Balog 10.14.24.

Despite these telling photos, there is still a lot we don’t know about the snowpack. Snow line starts between 1,500 and 2,000′. Once at 3,000′ the snow depth is roughly 3 feet. As the saying goes, if it’s deep enough to ride, it’s deep enough to slide. Early season avalanches can come in all forms, not just the glide avalanches we have seen so far. If you’re headed out, we recommend taking your time to assess the snow for any weak layers, follow safe travel protocol (exposing one person at a time, watching our partners, and having escape routes planned), and of course avoid hanging out under glide cracks!

EMAIL READERS – A note to those that get the forecast sent to their email boxes:

Bad news… the forecast will not be sent over email this season. We are transitioning at the end of October to a new advisory page that is managed by the National Avalanche Center. This is an exciting change and allows us to be consistent with other centers in the lower 48 as well as Alaska centers. Although the page will not be much different, it will have some new perks. However we lose the email push. The good news is it will hopefully be back next season but for now you’ll have to pull the forecast up on ChugachAvalanche.org. Thank you for your patience.

The obligatory Sunburst webcam shot from Tuesday, Oct 15, sunny!

Upcoming Events:

Oct 17, 7:00pm- MSP Ski Film – joint fundraiser!

• MatchStick Productions – “Calm Beneath Castles” – Trailer HERE.
  Showing at the West Anchorage High School Auditorium. Doors open at 6pm.
• This event supports the Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center and the Alaska Avalanche School.
• Tickets HERE ($20 in advance and $25 at the door).

Nov 8, 9am to 4:30pm-  Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop

• Alaska’s Annual snow science workshop (SAAW). NEW venue at Alyeska Hotel!
• This event is geared for both snow professionals and public backcountry users alike. If you are a snow/avalanche geek, this is the event for you! Please see details and registration at akavalancheworkshop.org.
• Tickets on sale now! HERE

SCHOLARSHIPS:

• • Several Avalanche Education Scholarships are available. These are through endowments in memory of Amy Downing and Rob Hammel. Scholarships open for application on October 1, deadlines are December 1. Check them out for yourself and/or please pass along to anyone that may be interested.

_________________________________________

Chugach NF Avalanche Center – early season operations:

• The Avalanche Center will begin issuing intermittent snow, weather and avalanche updates as conditions warrant from late October 2024 through mid November.
• Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin around Thanksgiving week.

NEW STUFF!  We will be using a new advisory page and a new observation platform. Look for these to go live in late October.

Early season reminders:

• Early season avalanches happen and can catch any of us off guard.
  • Watch for the famous signs of instability – the Red Flags (recent avalanches, cracking/whumpfing in the snow around you, strong wind, recent snowfall and/or rain).
  • Heading into the mountains during, or right after, a snowfall is the most dangerous time. This is when avalanches are most likely to occur; especially important to realize for hunters and others that may not have avalanches in the forefront of their minds.

Avalanche rescue gear and communications:

• This is a great time to be sure your rescue gear is working properly.
  • Beacons (avalanche transceivers) need fresh batteries
  • Probes need to be able to assemble properly with no weak points in the cable
  • Shovels are not damaged and it is a true avalanche shovel
  • Airbags should be charged, working properly, and tested
• Is your InReach up to date and associated with the correct contacts

*REMEMBER, the best way to keep tabs on current events/information for the early season is on our Facebook page and Instagram!!*

Looking up at Flattop in Chugach State Park from the Anchorage trails. Thanks to Michael Smith, Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center president for the photo taken on 10.14.24.