Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Storm Slabs
|
 Wet Loose
|
A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine where a person could trigger an avalanche on slopes 30 degrees and steeper in Turnagain Pass and Girdwood. The snowpack still needs time to adjust to the 3″ of precipitation (apprioximately 2-3′ of snow) that has fallen since Tuesday night. Careful route finding and conservative decision-making will [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
Wet Loose
|
A HIGH avalanche danger exists in the Alpine where a person could trigger a large and destructive avalanche in Turnagain Pass and Girdwood. Today’s elevated danger is based on our travel advice: Travel in Avalanche Terrain is Not Recommended. A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger is present below 2500′ where the snowpack is wet and saturated and [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
 Glide Avalanches
|
As rain, wind and snow impact the Turnagain Pass and surrounding areas today we will have a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger at all elevations above 1,000′. Human triggered storm and wind slab avalanches will be likely on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Natural avalanches will be possible. Cautious route finding and conservative decision-making are advised as [Read More] | ||
 Wind Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today above 1,000′ in the mountains surrounding Turnagain pass. Fresh wind slabs 6-12 € thick will be possible to trigger in steep terrain on leeward (wind-loaded) sides of ridges in the alpine. In the treeline elevation band (1,000 €“ 2,500′) an overabundance of glide cracks are keeping [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
A MODERATE avalanche danger exists today above 1,000′ in the mountains around Turnagain Pass. At elevations above 2,500′ fresh wind slab avalanches ~6-12″ thick will be possible to trigger on steep wind loaded slopes. Below 2,500′, a MODERATE danger exists for glide cracks that may release spontaneously and avalanche. More details on these in the [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
Today a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine and at Treeline where triggering a fresh windslab 8 €-20 € thick will be likely on steep wind loaded features. Careful snowpack evaluation and cautious routefinding will be essential in areas that have experienced active windloading. Be on the look out for shooting cracks and avoid [Read More] | ||
|
Glide Avalanches
|
Wind Slabs
|
Although a generally LOW avalanche danger exists in the Turnagain Pass region, there are two exceptions that are keeping ‘yellow’ in the picture. These are glide and wind slab avalanches. First, a MODERATE danger exists at the mid-elevations where destructive glide avalanches remain possible. Limiting time, or avoiding altogether, exposure under glide cracks is highly [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
 Dry Loose
|
Today a MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine and at Treeline. Triggering an isolated wind slab is possible on steep wind-loaded features. In places protected from the wind, loose snow avalanches could be fast moving and easily knock you off your feet in steep terrain. In the mid-elevation band (at Treeline), glide cracks pose [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Dry Loose
|
Today a MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine and at Treeline. Triggering an isolated wind slab 6 €-20 € thick is possible on steep wind-loaded features. In places protected from the wind loose snow avalanches could be fast moving and easily knock you off your feet in the wrong place. Identify wind-loaded features, turn [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE at and above Treeline today where it is possible for a skier or rider to trigger a wind slab in steep, wind-loaded terrain. As the next pulse of snow and rain moves through today pay attention to changing conditions and active wind loading. In the mid-elevation band (at Treeline), glide [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE at and above treeline today where fresh wind slabs have formed yesterday afternoon/ overnight with the approach of a quick but intense burst of heavy snow and moderate easterly winds. These will be possible for a person to trigger, specifically in steep, wind-loaded terrain above treeline. Wind slabs are [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today for both wind slab avalanches and glide avalanches. Lingering wind slabs (around 6-12″ thick) will be possible for a person to trigger on steep slopes at the upper elevations. Additionally, an increase in wind this afternoon may begin forming fresh winds slabs in the Alpine. At the mid-elevations [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
Today a MODERATE avalanche danger exists both in the Alpine and at Treeline. Above 2500′ triggering an isolated wind slab (1-2′ thick) could be possible on steep leeward terrain features. Below 2500′ in the Treeline zone, Glide cracks can release naturally and without warning. These problems can be avoided by carefully managing the terrain, assessing [Read More] | ||
|
Glide Avalanches
|
Wind Slabs
|
There is a MODERATE avalanche danger in the Turnagain Pass region for both glide avalanches as well as fresh wind slab avalanches. At the mid-elevations (between 1,000′ and 2,500′) destructive glide avalanches are possible. Several of these have released over the past 3 days and could release again today. In the upper Alpine zones, ridgetop [Read More] | ||
 Normal Caution
|
Glide Avalanches
|
The mountains around Turnagain Pass have a generally LOW avalanche danger at all elevations. *Remember, “low” does not mean “no” danger. Watch out for shallow wind slab avalanches in very steep and extreme terrain. Also, avoid being under glide cracks and avoid being on, or under, cornices. These hazards can be very manageable as long [Read More] | ||
|
Glide Avalanches
|
 Cornice
|
Today a MODERATE avalanche danger exists at and above Treeline where cornices should be avoided and lingering wind slabs are possible in steep terrain. At Treeline, glide crack movement has been active including several that have avalanched to the ground over the last few days. These unpredictable hazards can release unexpectedly and should be avoided. [Read More] | ||
|
Glide Avalanches
|
Cornice
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE today at and above Treeline where cornices are looming large over wind-loaded terrain. In addition, triggering a wind slab 1-3′ in depth is possible on steep (greater than 35 degrees), leeward, upper elevation slopes. At Treeline, the terrain is littered with glide cracks right now, some of which have avalanched [Read More] | ||
|
Glide Avalanches
|
Cornice
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE today at and above treeline where cornices are looming large over wind-loaded terrain. Triggering a wind slab 1-3′ in depth won’t be out of the question in steep, upper elevation terrain (greater than 35 degrees) either. At treeline, the glide avalanche potential is real as the core advisory [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Cornice
|
Today we have a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger at the Alpine elevations in, and surrounding, Turnagain Pass. Wind slab avalanches 1-2′ feet thick will be likely for people to trigger on slopes around 35 degrees and steeper. Cornices are also expected to be touchy today and could trigger an avalanche below. Areas at the Treeline elevations [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
Glide Avalanches
|
A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists in the Alpine where wind slabs 1-2′ thick are possible on steep windloaded features. Careful snowpack evaluation and cautious routefinding are recommended in places where winds are actively loading slopes. The avalanche danger at and below Treeline is MODERATE where rain saturated the snowpack yesterday and triggering a wet loose [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
Wet Loose
|
As rain, wind and snow impact the Turnagain Pass and surrounding areas today we will have a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger at all elevations above 1,000′. Dry snow avalanches in the Alpine (above 2,500′) and wet snow avalanches (below 2,500′) may occur naturally today. Human triggered avalanches will be likely on slopes 35 and steeper. In [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Cornice
|
Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE both at Treeline and in the Alpine. Triggering a wind slab is possible today in steep leeward terrain. Be aware of large cornice features and recent glide crack movement and avoid putting yourself on or under these unpredictable hazards. Pay attention to changing conditions as the next storm effects [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Cornice
|
Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE both at Treeline and in the Alpine. Triggering a fresh windslab 4-8 € thick is possible today near ridgetops and on leeward features. Be on the look out for hollow sounding snow, shooting cracks, and blowing snow. Be aware of large cornice features and recent glide crack movement and [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Cornice
|
Today the danger at Treeline and above Treeline is MODERATE. The likelihood of triggering a Wind Slab avalanche 2-4′ deep is possible above 1000′. These slabs are most likely to be triggered on steep leeward slopes. Large fresh cornices loom above much of this same terrain and should be avoided. For the periphery of the [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
 Deep Persistent Slabs
|
There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger above treeline in the eastern Turnagain Arm region today in the wake of yet another powerful burst of easterly winds and subtropical moisture from yesterday. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making will be essential as a variety of human-triggered storm snow avalanche issues may be found today. Below treeline [Read More] |