Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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 Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE in the Alpine where wet loose, glide avalanches and unstable cornices are the main problems to contend with today. The danger is LOW at Treeline, where avalanches are unlikely with the exception being shallow wet loose activity. [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger has risen to MODERATE overnight for wet loose avalanches and cornice falls on all aspects and elevations. Southerly slopes that did not re-freeze and Northerly slopes that have wet surface snow will be the most likely places to trigger an avalanche. These wet slides could entrain significant amounts of snow if the [Read More] | ||
 Normal Caution
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Today the avalanche danger is expected to be LOW both in the Alpine and at Treeline. If winds become calm today be aware of wet loose avalanche activity on Southern and Western aspects in the afternoon. Newly forming windslabs up to 6 € thick could be tender along ridgetops and if triggered could knock [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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 Wind Slabs
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Today will start with a generally LOW avalanche danger and rise to MODERATE as the snow surface begins to soften with daytime warming. Wet loose avalanches releasing naturally or triggered by a person will again be the main concern on East, South and West aspects at all elevations. These can be quite large in steep [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Wind Slabs
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Today the avalanche danger will start out LOW in the morning and increase to MODERATE as solar radiation begins to heat up the surface snow on sunny aspects. Natural wet loose avalanches will be possible both in the Alpine and at Treeline. Pay attention to changing surface conditions and if the snow becomes wet and [Read More] | ||
 Announcement
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There is MODERATE avalanche danger in the backcountry for a variety of avalanche problems. The most concerning are large wet snow avalanches below 2,500′ and large dry slab avalanches above 2,500′. The snowpack has just begun to freeze up and stabilize after a significant warm-up and avalanche cycle over the weekend. With much uncertainty in [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains HIGH for the second day in a row both in the Alpine and at Treeline. Heavy rain has caused the snowpack to become very saturated and large natural wet avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely. Deep slab avalanches 5-8′ thick are the primary concern at higher elevations [Read More] | ||
 Deep Persistent Slabs
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Storm Slabs
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There is a HIGH avalanche danger in the backcountry where heavy snowfall, rain and gale force winds are rapidly loading an already unstable snowpack. Large avalanches are likely to occur naturally and human triggered avalanches are very likely on all aspects and at elevations above 1,000′. These slides can be up to 5′ deep, or [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Wet Loose
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UPDATED Friday at 3:50pm: TINCAN AVALANCHE: We just had a report of a very large skier triggered avalanche around noon today on both the North and South side of Tincan. We are currently gathering details; if anyone has any information please email wendy@chugachavalanche.org. At this time there are no known persons involved. The slides were [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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 Dry Loose
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MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the alpine and at treeline elevations today where storm slabs less than 48 hours old are quickly settling out. Human triggered avalanches in the 1-2′ range, comprised of storm snow will be possible as the snowpack continues to adjust to Tuesday’s (19 € in 19hrs) storm plus any new [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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UPDATE for Wednesday April 15th, 7am: Turnagain Pass has seen 19″ of new, low density, snow in the past 19 hours!! This is great news for those still interested in winter but caution is warranted if you are headed out in the backcountry. The avalanche danger has risen to CONSIDERABLE for wind/storm slab and loose [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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 Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE in the Alpine and the Treeline elevation bands for wind slab and loose snow avalanches associated with new snow instabilities. Up to 6″ of snow, along with moderate Easterly wind, is forecast through the day with another 2-6″ overnight. Wind slabs are expected to be 4-8″ thick today and up [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE where triggering a large avalanche is possible in the Alpine and at Treeline. Below 2500′ a very €œupside down € snowpack persists where a slab 1-5′ thick could release. On Northern shaded aspects above 2500′ a slab 3-5′ thick is sitting on layer of weak faceted snow and if [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The danger is MODERATE in the Alpine. Areas of CONSIDERABLE danger exist on steep North facing slopes where slabs up to 3-5′ thick, while difficult to trigger, have the potential to be large and carry severe consequences. Elsewhere it will be possible for slabs 1-2′ thick to be triggered by skiers and riders [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The danger is CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine. Slabs 2-3′ thick will be sensitive to human triggers and could release naturally with daytime warming and occasional sunshine on all aspects. These slabs have the potential to step down to layers buried more deeply on North aspects and be in the 3-5′ range. The [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger in the Alpine will be CONSIDERABLE today as strong winds and new snow are expected to cause storm snow instabilities and add stress to the snowpack. Triggering a slab up to 12 € thick will be possible in the upper alpine and if the sun should make an appearance later in the [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today in the alpine after a warm and windy storm moved through south-central Alaska yesterday. 1-3′ of snow combined with strong easterly winds created tender wind slabs and storm slabs in the 2-4′ range. Expect these to still be sensitive. Natural avalanches will be possible and human-triggered [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in the Girdwood Valley and other favored areas that receive 8-16+” of new snow by this afternoon. New snow combined with strong Easterly winds will create a variety of storm snow instabilities. These include wind slabs (up to 2′ thick), loose snow avalanches and cornice falls. Natural avalanches are [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The danger is MODERATE on steep slopes in the Alpine. Fresh wind slabs 8-12 € thick could be triggered on leeward slopes approaching 40 º. North facing slopes are also suspect and have dense slabs 2-3′ thick that could be triggered by skiers and riders. The danger is LOW at Treeline where avalanches [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2,000′ on Northerly aspects for triggering a slab avalanche 2-3′ thick. The likelihood for triggering one of these large slides on steep shady slopes is decreasing, but the consequences remain high. Other areas of concern are fresh wind slabs and loose snow avalanches where up to 6″ of storm [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger will run the gamut from LOW to CONSIDERABLE today. In the Alpine the danger is CONSIDERABLE on steep North facing slopes. In this terrain it will be possible for avalanches 2-3′ deep to be triggered by humans and propagate across wide areas. The likelihood of triggering will increase with large [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger in the Alpine will increase to CONSIDERABLE today as sunny daytime temperatures climb into the 40’s F. On shaded slopes above 2500′ an already unstable snowpack exists and a slab 2-3′ thick if triggered will have high consequences. On Sunny aspects as hot daytime temperatures saturate the snowpack triggering a wet avalanche [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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 Cornice
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today above treeline. Human triggered avalanches 2-3′ deep are possible in isolated areas, particularly North facing terrain. This looks to be the first day in a week without some measurable precipitation so it’ll be important to let the snowpack continue to adjust to this recent load. Keep [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Cornice
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Today the avalanche danger in the Alpine is MODERATE where triggering a slab 2-3′ thick is possible and will have high consequences. Areas of CONSIDERABLE danger exist on the periphery of our forecast zone where shaded Northern and Western aspects will have the greatest instability. Today all aspects are suspect and it will be important [Read More] | ||
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Dry Loose
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Cornice
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The avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations this morning and may rise to MODERATE above 2,000′ with daytime warming and sunshine. Wet loose avalanches and cornice falls, both occurring naturally and human triggered will be the main concerns if this afternoon turns sunny. Otherwise, dry sluffs should be expected on steep slopes above 2,500′ [Read More] |