Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The 2018/2019 winter avalanche season has begun!
It is looking like winter in Turnagain Pass, Girdwood and through much of the state. This is thanks to a widespread snow storm on Oct. 29th that brought 8″ of snow to Girdwood, 5-8″ along the Seward Hwy through Turnagain Pass and up to a foot or more at the higher elevations. The new snow fell onto older October snow above 2,500′ but onto bare ground below this. As of Monday morning, Nov 5th, there have been three reported skier triggered avalanches. Here’s a look at the snow/avalanche events to date:
– Oct 29th, 6-8″ of snow to sea level, 12+” of snow in the Alpine, followed by cold, clear weather.
– Oct. 30th, we received our first report of a small remote triggered avalanche along the Crow Pass Trail.
– Oct. 31st, avalanche triggered by a skier taking a few jumps on the snow at the entrance to a line off of Pastoral Peak. This avalanche was up to 2′ deep yet only 20′ wide.
– Nov 2nd, Wind event, 24 hours of sustained 20-30mph east winds in the Alpine
– Nov 3rd, another avalanche on Pastoral Peak, triggered intentionally by a skier performing a ski cut. This was a shallow wind slab, 3-8″ thick, 30′ wide and running full path.
These early season avalanches are good reminders that a thin snowpack can still produce a slide. They are also good reminders that a layered snowpack exists above 2,500′ in the Alpine where snow from mid-Oct existed before Oct 29th.
Red Flags to watch for:
Remember to always consider the consequences of an avalanche, even a small wind slab can knock a person off their feet and somewhere they don’t want to go.
Pastoral Avalanches, North aspect, ~4,700′. Photo from Oct 31st (Andy Kubic)
Photos from Nov 3rd (Brady Deal)
A few photos from Turnagain Pass on Friday, Nov 2nd. Below is Seattle Ridge (Duncan Wright).
Below left, winds on Seattle Ridge Nov 2nd. Right, wind flagging off Sunburst ridge (Heather Thamm).
Thin snowpack… this is looking up at Repeat Offender on Seattle Ridge. Side note: sun crust formed last week on south aspects!
As we wait for more snow to fall, we are going to provide updates and some educational reminders for the season.
The theme for today is GET THE GEAR! from the National campaign, Know Before You Go. New from KBYG are online training courses – check them out here – they are HIGHLY recommended as a refresher or to supplement your professional avalanche course!
Investing in avalanche rescue gear is an investment in your life and your backcountry partner’s life. If your gear is old (analog beacon) or you are new to winter backcountry travel we recomend the following when purchasing or upgrading your rescue equipment.
–Triple Antenna Beacon with multiple-burial marking
-Aluminum Probe at least 270cm long (Alaska has a deep snowpack)
-Aluminum Shovel made by a manufacturer who specialized is avalanche rescue equipment (retire your old plastic shovels)
An Avalanche Air Bag is an additional piece of safety equipment that does not replace the three essentials above, but has proven to reduce the likelihood of a full-burial.
***The BEST avalanche rescue equipment is the gear you practice with often. Remember these skills are perishable and practicing avalanche rescue once a month with your regular backcountry partners is something we should all strive for. Check out our calendar for upcoming Avalanche Courses and some free CNFAIC hosted Awareness Talks and Rescue Workshops.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
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01/20/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Johnston-Bloom / Roberts Forecaster |
01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Cornbiscuit | Schauer/ Johnston-Bloom Forecaster |
01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst and Tincan | CNFAIC Staff |
01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | CNFAIC Staff |
01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan 2900′ SW aspect below Hippy Bowl. | Kris Marshall |
01/18/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Obs. | A Schauer Forecaster |
01/16/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan Trees | A Schauer Forecaster |
01/15/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Schauer/ Wunnicke Forecaster |
01/13/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Johnston-Bloom / Moderow Forecaster |
01/13/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Center Ridge Meadows | Alaska Avalanche School Rec Level 1 Roberts |
Status of riding areas across the Chugach NF is managed by the Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts, not avalanche center staff. Riding area information is posted as a public service to our users and updated based on snow depth and snow density to prevent resource damage at trailhead locations. Riding area questions contact: mailroom_r10_chugach@fs.fed.us
Area | Status | Weather & Riding Conditions |
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Glacier District |
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This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area. This advisory does not apply to highways, railroads or operating ski areas.