Turnagain Pass
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We have an overall LOW avalanche danger in the Turnagain Pass area. If you are traveling in the high elevations on steep terrain, over 40deg, the potential exists to find and trigger a lingering wind slab avalanche.
However, the main threat to a person skiing or snowboarding is hitting thinly veiled rocks. As for snowmachines, they are safe for now since the Chugach National Forest remains closed to motorized use due to the very shallow snow cover. We need more snow!
Don’t miss out on tonight’s FREE fireside chat! The topic will be ‘Avalanche Rescue’, presented by CNFAIC director and retired Denali Rescue Ranger Kevin Wright. It will be held in Anchorage at the Alaska Avalanche School at 6:30pm. This is the second in a four part series. See the calendar tab for more details.
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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. |
There is little to report from the backcountry avalanche-wise. The last avalanche activity seen was a small wind slab cycle on Nov 27th. These old and stubborn wind slabs are sitting on faceted snow and littered about the mountains. If you are traveling in steep terrain there is a chance you may be able to pop one of these off, most likely in a steep rocky area with no support for the slab from below. Though I think you’d have to try pretty hard to do this.
In general, the snowpack continues its weakening process under the clear skies. Despite the significant warming at the upper elevations yesterday, the snow remains cold, dry and faceted.
Average snowpack depths:
Above treeline, 15-30″
Below treeline, 12-15″
All that said, the real “Primary Concern” is hitting rocks. Below is a core shot to my partner’s ski yesterday – ouch.
A significant warm-up has been seen over the past 24 hours at the mid and upper elevations. This is due to a warm air mass that moved over us from the north and west. Check out the temperature trace at the Sunburst weather station – a downright balmy 38 degrees mid-day yesterday! The warm-up, however, is slow to reach the lower elevations which still sit in the single digits F. Winds have been light, 5-10mph, and variable to westerly on the ridge tops. Skies have remained clear.
A mild day is in store for today. Winds are forecast to make a shift to the south and remain light. Temperatures will be in the 20’sF to low 30’s in the mid and upper elevations while those at sea level rise into the upper teens to 20’s. Skies should remain clear with some thin high clouds in places.
Looking forward: the storm system that models were showing to move into Southcentral Alaska on Thursday is now looking to stay to our west. If this verifies, our next chance for snow is on the distant horizon.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
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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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