Turnagain Pass
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The Bottom Line
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:
- Recent avalanches
- Cracks in the snow that shoot out from you
- Whumpfing (collapsing) of the snowpack
- Rapid changes in weather (snow/rain/wind/temperature)
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!
Special AnnouncementsThe CNFAIC will be issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through mid-November. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin on Thanksgiving weekend – unless we see more snow and avalanche issues before this demanding an earlier start.
*Early season folks: Please send us your snow/avalanche reports so we can post them on our observation page. That you to all those who have sumbitted already! Simply click ‘submit observation’ under the Observation tab above. This is a huge benefit for the community and our forecasters. Make sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for our most up to date information.
Mark your calendars: EVENTS ARE APPROACHING QUICKLY!
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Friday November 9th
6th Annual Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop
9am – 4:30pm, Alaska Pacific University’s Atwood Bldg. Join us for the 6th annual SAAW. Alaska’s Southcentral avalanche community will team up with snow professionals from around the region, Southeast Alaska and Idaho to share knowledge and stories. This is a ‘must attend’ event for avalanche professionals and an excellent way for recreational backcountry users to delve into advanced avalanche topics!
Pre-registration closes on Thursday, November 8th at 6pm. After that, you can get tickets for $20 at the door between 8:30 and 9am. Lunch, coffee, snacks and a post workshop ‘beer social’ is included. Full schedule and registration HERE.
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Thursday, Nov 15th
Beartooth CNFAIC Fall Fundraiser: Hope for Snow!
8 – 11pm, Beartooth Theater Pub & Grill. A slightly different format this year with short stories and live music. SNOW STORIES by:
· Wendy Wagner
· Roman Dial
· Blaine Smith
Live Music by HOPE SOCIAL CLUB!
Tickets are $20 and will be available starting Oct. 23 at the Beartooth website and box office.
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Wednesday, Nov 21st
Snowmachine throwback film fundraiser – “2 Stroke Cold Smoke”!
7 – 10pm, 49th State Brewing Co Anchorage. Kick off the riding season, connect with CNFAIC and learn about snowmachine specific avalanche awareness/course opportunities with a ‘throwback film’ night!!
$20 tickets available soon online and at local snowmachine dealerships. More details coming soon!
