Turnagain Pass

It continues to be a warm start to our winter in the Turnagain Pass region. Sadly there is not much new to report. We are watching the temperatures and thinking cold thoughts. Follow the National Weather Service’s Recreational Report for the mountain weather forecast.  The thin wet snow cover begins around 2,500′ with dry snow starting around 4,000′.  Last week there was some wet snow and glide avalanche activity reported. With a little more rain/snow forecast this week it is still important to remember that avalanches occurring in terrain above you can funnel down gullies and send debris into snow free areas and hit summer hiking trails.

If you are heading to Hatcher Pass don’t forget to check the NEW hpavalanche.org and their Facebook page. There have been large glide avalanches occurring there. As we like to say “Don’t mess with the Brown Frown.” Avoid travel under glide cracks. They are very unpredictable and can release at anytime.  For more info on the Turnagain glide season 2015/16 checkout  Southcentral Alaska’s Crack Problem: A 2015/16 Glide Avalanche Study:  ISSW 2016 paper by CNFAIC, Alyeska Snow Safety and Alaska DOT.

                  Turnagain Pass DOT snow stake! Come on snow!

Glide avalanche Hatcher Pass, November 3rd. Photo: Eric Roberts

While we are waiting for the snow the to fly it is a good time to get your brain ready for the the season!

GET the Training!!!

Come join us Friday, November 8:  Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop (SAAW)
9am-4:30pm, UAA’s Lucy Cuddy Hall, $20 (afternoon session is FREE)
Alaska’s Southcentral avalanche community will team up with snow professionals from around the region, Colorado and Canada to share their knowledge. This is a ‘must attend’ event for avalanche professionals and an excellent way for recreational backcountry users to delve into advanced topics. There will be also be variety of avalanche gear vendors there if you want to checkout new products for the winter. Full schedule and registration at akavalancheworkshop.org.

• Have you signed up for an avalanche class this season? Check out the Alaska Avalanche School and Alaska Guide Collective for course offerings.
• Want to learn more about Winter Weather in Alaska this weekend?  There are a few spots left in Alaska Winter Weather Forecasting offered by Alaska Avalanche School.  Nov 9, 2019 – Nov 10, 2019 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Want some preseason reading? Check out this interesting research on the Rising Age of Avalanche Victims.

New Website:  Many of you may have noticed our website has a new look. We are very excited about our new platform and its easy mobile friendly attributes!! However, with this comes a chance for bugs. We’ve already seen a few already and working to fix them. If you see something, please let us know by sending an email to staff@chugachavalanche.org. Thank you for your patience.

Avalanche Center Operations:  Doors have opened at the Avalanche Center and we will begin issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates as conditions warrant. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin during Thanksgiving week – unless abundant November snowfall demands an earlier start.

Getting into the mountains? Please send us your snow/avalanche reports so we can post them on our observation page! Simply click ‘submit observation’ under the Observation tab. This is a huge benefit for the community and our forecasters.

*Keep tabs on early season conditions and events on Facebook  and  follow us on Instagram.*

Special Announcements

Mark your calendars:  EVENTS ARE APPROACHING QUICKLY!!

Thursday, Nov 7:  Snowmachine film fundraiser -“WHITE GOLD”
7-9pm, 49th State Brewing Co. Theater, $20
Sled Winter Kickoff Party! Join us for Thirsty Thursday and the premiere of 208 Productions’ NEW film “WHITE GOLD”. Tickets on sale at Alaska Mining and Diving Supply, A2D Motorsports, Anchorage Yahama/Polaris. Or purchase them online at https://chugachavy.brownpapertickets.com

Thursday, Nov 14: Snow Stories 2.0
8-10pm, Beartooth Theater, $20
Please join us in getting stoked to stay safe as emcee Brooke Edwards hosts an exceptional line of up lessons learned in the backcountry by storytellers: Roman Dial, Leighan Falley, Paul Thacker,Kellie Okonek, and Laddie Shaw. Tickets available at the Beartooth website and box office.