Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Don’t forget your down jacket, mittens, and thermos today. Moderate Northwest winds (15-30mph) and single digits (F) temperatures could easily bring the windchill factor near -20F, especially in the upper elevations. These same winds could also be adding stress to an early season snowpack.  Watch out for isolated windslabs near ridges or a wind slab that could be sitting on the Nov 16 layer of buried surface hoar. If this is the case, a ‘typical’ wind slab avalanche could step down and trigger a much larger slide releasing 2-3′ deep. Keep in mind, these could pop out mid-slope. Be aware of your exposure and avoid pillow shaped snow on steep unsupported terrain features. Snow that feels supportable, hollow or drumlike is suspect and cracking will be an obvious sign that this snow is unstable.   

Be prepared for cold weather, travel one at time between safe zone, and adjust your plans if an area becomes too crowded.

A normal weekday on the popular ski track up Sunbursts SW shoulder. Photo taken yesterday, Dec.2 at 12:30pm.

A layer of buried surface hoar, 1-3′ deep, still remains on many slopes throughout Turnagain Pass and in the Summit Lake area. During the past two weeks, many popular slopes have avalanched (removing the weak layer), and been covered again by recent snow. This makes it really hard to know the full extent of which slopes still have this weak layer set-up, especially in places that haven’t seen much traffic.   

Keep these questions in mind today before committing to a route or descending: 

• “What are the consequences if this slope avalanches?” 
• “Are there other groups above me or below me?”
• “What is my plan if this slope avalanches?”

It’s been roughly a week since we have seen or heard of a glide crack releasing – but the cracks continue to widen despite the cold weather. Once again, limiting your exposure under these is highly recommended.