Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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 Persistent Slabs
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 Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects and elevations above 2,000′ where human triggered slab avalanches 1-3′ thick are likely today. It may be possible to remote trigger an avalanche from above, below or adjacent to a steep slope. At elevations above 3,000′ triggering a very large slab avalanche that breaks in weak [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects and elevations near 2,000′ and above. Human triggered slab avalanches 1-2′ thick are likely where surface crusts are either thin or do not exist. Additionally, remote triggered avalanches from the side, below and from the top of slopes is possible. At elevations above 3,000′ there is still [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects and elevations above 1000′. A weak layer of snow has been overloaded by heavy snow, rain and strong winds over the past few days. Natural avalanches are still possible and human triggered slab avalanches are likely on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Remote triggered avalanches from below [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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 Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger remains HIGH above 1000′ due to rain, heavy wet snowfall and strong winds. Natural avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely today. As the new snow, rain and wind overloads a weak layer of buried surface hoar and facets, avalanches are becoming larger and more dangerous. Travel in [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH today at all elevations above 1,000′. Another round of strong wind and heavy snowfall will continue to overload a weak snowpack. Natural avalanches are likely today and tonight. Human triggered avalanches are very likely. As the new snow piles up on a weak layer of buried surface hoar and facets, [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is expected to rise to HIGH this afternoon in the Alpine due to heavy snowfall and increasing wind. Pay attention to changing conditions. The NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning from Portage Valley to Turnagain Pass. *Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended above treeline and careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route-finding [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger could rise to CONSIDERABLE late in the day due to increasing wind and new snow landing on weak surface snow. Pay attention to changing conditions. There is a Winter Storm Watch in effect. Before the snow and wind start: There is a MODERATE avalanche danger in the alpine, above 3,000′ where triggering [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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 Wind Slabs
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today in the alpine, above 3,000′ where triggering a large and dangerous deep slab avalanche is possible due to weak snow near the ground. Triggering an isolated hard wind slab is still possible on steep leeward features or on unsupported terrain in the alpine. Heightened avalanche conditions exist on [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today in the alpine, above 3,000′ where triggering a large and dangerous deep slab avalanche is possible due to weak snow near the ground. Additionally triggering a hard wind slab is still possible on leeward, steep, unsupported slopes in the alpine. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. The avalanche danger [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today in the alpine, above 3,000′ where triggering a large and dangerous deep slab avalanche is possible due to weak snow near the ground. Additionally, in both the alpine and treeline elevation bands triggering a hard wind slab is still possible on leeward, steep, unsupported slopes. Heightened avalanche conditions [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today in the alpine and treeline elevation bands where triggering a hard wind slab will be possible on steep, unsupported slopes. Above 3,000′ triggering a much larger and more dangerous deep slab avalanche is also possible due to weak snow near the ground. Heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today in the alpine and treeline elevation bands where triggering a hard wind slab will be possible on steep, unsupported slopes. Above 3,000′ triggering a much larger and more dangerous avalanche is also possible given the poor structure that we know exists high in the alpine. Obvious clues like [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today in the alpine and treeline elevation bands where triggering a hard wind slab will be possible on steep, unsupported slopes. Above 3,000′ deep slab avalanches are still a possibility given the poor structure that we know exists high in the alpine. If you decide to venture [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine where triggering a wind slab 1-2′ thick is likely on steep leeward features where strong winds have been actively transporting snow. In the high elevations slopes (above 3,000′) winds have been adding stress to a more dangerous deep slab problem that could release near the ground. Obvious [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine. Natural wind slab avalanches 1-2′ thick are possible today due to strong winds over the region. Wind loading on the high elevations slopes (above 3,000′) may also overload the snowpack and cause a deep slab avalanche to release that breaks near the ground. Careful snowpack evaluation and [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine. On the high elevations slopes (above 3,000′) triggering a deep slab avalanche breaking near the ground is possible and may be triggered remotely. Additionally, wind slabs are possible in leeward terrain. Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. The avalanche danger [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine. Fresh wind slabs are possible in leeward terrain. Additionally, on the high elevations slopes (above 3,000′) the possibility of a deep slab avalanche breaking near the ground remains a concern. Areas where the snowpack is shallower, such as on the South side of Turnagain Pass, towards Summit [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations for storm slabs with new snow and wind forecasted for today. Additionally, a MODERATE danger exists on the high elevations slopes (above 3,000′) for the possibility of a slab avalanche breaking near the ground. The most concerning areas for triggering a large avalanche are where the snowpack [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on the high elevations slopes (above 3,000′) for the possibility of a slab avalanche breaking near the ground. Most concerning areas for triggering a large avalanche are where the snowpack is shallower, such as on the South side of Turnagain Pass and toward Summit Lake as well as the Crow [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine elevation for triggering a 2-4’+ slab avalanche breaking near the ground. The danger is more pronounced in regions of the forecast zone that did not receive significant snow during the past 2 weeks, such as areas on the South end of Turnagain Pass. Careful snowpack evaluation and [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE both at Treeline and in the Alpine where triggering a storm slab 1-2′ deep is likely on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. In the Alpine, above 2500′, triggering a much deeper and more dangerous avalanche, 4 – 6+ feet thick is possible today and could be unsurvivable. Obvious clues like [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects in the Alpine, 2500′ and above. Triggering deep slab, 4-8+’ deep, and/or a fresh wind slab 1-2′ is likely on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. 2500′ and below the avalanche danger is MODERATE where rain has fallen and a [Read More] | ||
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Wet Slab
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects and elevations above 1500′. Dangerous wet snow avalanches below 3,000′ and large dry slab avalanches above 3,000′ could release naturally today. The mountains have just undergone a two week onslaught of heavy snow and rain and the snowpack remains unstable. Natural large avalanches are possible and human [Read More] | ||
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Wet Slab
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains HIGH due to heavy rain, wet snowfall and strong winds. A very potent warm and wet storm cycle has saturated the snowpack below 3000′ where triggering a wet slab avalanche will be likely today. In the Alpine triggering a storm snow avalanche 2-4 feet thick is also very likely. Travel in [Read More] | ||
 Wet Loose
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH due to continued heavy rain, wet snowfall and strong winds. A very potent warm and wet storm has saturated the snowpack and caused a natural wet avalanche cycle below 3000′. Today natural and human triggered wet slab avalanches are likely at Treeline and storm snow avalanches are likely in the [Read More] |