Turnagain Pass

Yesterday was the fifth day in row that skiers and snowboarders have triggered a minimum of three avalanches per day on Turnagain Pass. Three avalanches were triggered on Sunburst yesterday and one on Tincan. 

The video below is from an avalanche on Sunburst triggered remotely from the ridge. There was a group of four that were riding on the looker’s right slope of this avalanche. The first two rode that slope, each triggering a small avalanche (one of which can be seen on the right side). Just as the third person was about to descend, the larger avalanche released and caught on video by the two people below. Discussions with all groups involved concluded that the avalanche in the video was unintentionally triggered from the ridge by another group. More details HERE.

Photo below: Same avalanche as in the video from a different perspective.

Photo below is from Hippy Bowl on Tincan that also was reported to have been triggered remotely from the ridge.

If you have been reading the advisory lately, you’ll know this is all due to a layer of highly reactive buried surface hoar sitting 10-20″ below the surface (under the snow from last Thursday and Monday). Slabs have been relatively shallow and soft, yet debris has been running far. Few people have been getting caught, which is mainly because these have ‘mostly’ been releasing at peoples feet or remotely, meaning the avalanche occurs either next to you or below you. 

Things to keep in mind for the sunny day forecast:

• The snowpack is still unstable
• Although slabs are soft and shallow – the larger the slope, the larger the avalanche
• Slabs can break above you, making it more difficult to escape
• Be aware of OTHER groups and WHO IS BELOW YOU

Is there any good news with this tender snowpack?  So far slabs are soft and relatively shallow – not good news per se but better than hard and thick slabs. Another thing to consider is where you are riding – take Sunburst ridge for example:  much of the popular West slopes of Sunburst have already avalanched and been filled in with Monday’s snow – folks are now riding these slopes without incident. Bump up a little further along the ridge and boom – there are many slopes, or portions of slopes, that have not slid and are lying in wait. 

On the South end of Turnagain Pass a few glide avalanches have released. One of these was on the South face of Pete’s North. Additional cracks are opening on Sunburst and Tincan. With so much focus on the buried surface hoar issues – don’t forget to keep an eye out for glide cracks and limit time under these.