Turnagain Pass
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The CNFAIC is no longer issuing avalanche advisories for Turnagain Pass and surrounding regions. Although the forecast season has finished, the avalanche season has not – please see below for some SPRINGTIME AVALANCHE TIPS!!
We would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all the folks who have taken the time to send in observations. Your reports are integral in providing the highest quality information!
Additionally, THANK YOU to all of you who have supported the CNFAIC through donations, memberships and a variety of other means. This is the foundation we continue to build upon – we would not be here without you!
We would also like to thank our non-profit arm, the Friends of the CNFAIC. Half of our operating budget comes directly from you through the ‘Friends’ organization. This amazing and selfless group has a tireless passion for keeping us safe in the backcountry. Their fundraising efforts allow the Avalanche Center to be a reality – literally. And of course, we would not be here without the support of the Forest Service and the wonderful Glacier Ranger District.
Last but far from least, we would like to thank our professional partners for sharing their insights, information and wisdom, which greatly improve our forecasts:
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Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
SPRINGTIME AVALANCHE TIPS – Timing is everything! The spring transition can have an unexpected effect on snowpack characteristics. Stable snow can become weak and hazardous in a matter of hours. What to look for? Ask yourself these questions: Am I dealing with winter snow (cold and dry) or spring/summer snow (wet, warm and/or crusty and refrozen)? Or is it some combination? What weather factors have affected the snowpack today and recently?
Remember the Red Flags that indicate instability!
While many people may have transitioned to springtime activities, winter remains in the Alpine along with plenty of snow. On any given day conditions can range from warm and sunny T-shirt weather, to pouring rain, to cold and snowy mid-winter conditions. Being able to recognize and respond to specific avalanche concerns is key in making effective decisions in avalanche terrain.
Hiking on summer trails during the springtime warm-up (including the Byron Glacier trail, Crow Pass, Devil’s Pass, Russian Lakes trail and Crescent Creek trail) can be very dangerous. Extra caution is advised for trails that cross under avalanche paths. Avoid being under large snow covered slopes this spring as avalanche hazard does remain. Most common times for natural springtime avalanches are during sunny afternoons/evenings or periods of warm rainy weather. Know that an avalanche occurring above you could send debris to snow-free zones and valley floors.
Recent avalanche debris in the Byron Glacier valley on April 24th. Remember last spring’s close call when hikers found themselves too close to the runout of a natural avalanche.
Loose Snow Avalanches: Both dry and wet loose avalanches are common springtime avalanche concerns. Pay close attention in steep terrain, especially when the sun first hits freshly fallen snow. Remember loose avalanches can be particularly hazardous if they push you into a terrain trap. Wet loose avalanches can trigger wet slabs on the slopes below.
Wet Slab Avalanches: Wet slab avalanches are a combination of a slab, a weak layer or interface and water percolating down to the weak layer or interface. Often times there is a crust involved as the bed surface or some harder layer that the water lubricates. We had a wet slab avalanche cycle on April 10th and 11th and may see another before the season is over. As temperatures rise and/or rain falls at upper elevations these could happen even on the Northerly slopes. These tend to large and destructive when water is first being rapidly introduced to a somewhat drier snowpack.
Wet slab, wet loose and a glide avalanche – all on Tincan’s west facing slopes in late March 2019.
Dry Slab Avalanches: It is still possible to get significant snowfall this time of year. If it is raining hard at lower elevations depending on the temperature it may being snowing hard up high. Pay attention to how much new snow has fallen and what surface it is sitting on. Is there a foot of new snow sitting on surface hoar or facets or a hard crust or over wet snow? Even without a persistent weak layer between the slab and the bed surface, it is still possible to trigger dangerous slab avalanches. These slabs may also be tender and reactive right as they start to warm in the spring sun or with a rapid temperature rise.
Wind Slabs: It is also important to continue to pay attention to wind direction and loading patterns. New snow or older dry loose snow can quickly be loaded on leeward slopes and form touchy wind slabs. Look for areas of pillowed snow and watch for cracking. Again, you may be seeing a rain storm and forget that it is actually snowing and blowing up high. Check the weather page! What direction has the wind been blowing from? How strong for how long?
Example of a dry slab from April 15th on North facing Warmup/-1 Bowl.
Cornices: Some slopes still have large cornices looming above them. Knowing exactly what will tip the scales is difficult. Some factors that contribute to cornice fall are direct sun, heat from rising temperatures, and new snow with wind. Give cornices a wide berth and take measures to minimize your exposure beneath them. Remember they have a tendency to break much further back than expected.
Cornice over Zero/Mamma’s Bowl, Seattle Ridge, March 30, 2019.
Glide Avalanches: As of the end of April a few glide cracks are appearing and may release. Remember glide avalanches are very unpredictable and that they are the entire snowpack sliding to the ground. Avoid travel under glide cracks.
Large glide avalanche south of Turnagain Pass near the Hope Wye, releasing April 6, 2019.
Below are some ways to both anticipate and deal with the above mentioned avalanche concerns:
Pay close attention to overnight freezing, rising temperatures and changing surface conditions!
Until next season, be safe in the mountains and have a great summer! –Wendy, Heather, Aleph and Graham
When you are done recreating for the winter season remember to take care of your avalanche gear!
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
10/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Michael Kerst |
10/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Observation | Trevor Clayton |
10/19/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Below Todds Run | Andy Moderow |
10/18/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Taylor Pass | Eli Neuffer |
10/15/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | John Sykes Forecaster |
10/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | CNFAC Staff |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddie’s, Sunburst, Seattle, Cornbiscuit, Pete’s South | H Thamm |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass non-motorized side | Amy Holman |
05/12/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Warm up Bowl | Tony Naciuk |
05/07/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Wet Slabs | A S |
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