This avalanche occurred just down ridge from a fatal avalanche in 2011 when a hiker/glissader was caught, carried and buried in a wet loose avalanche. That report can be found on our accidents page and also linked at:
www.cnfaic.org/accidents/bird-ridge-chugach-state-park/
Avalanche: Chugach State Park
Location: Bird Ridge
Avalanche witnessed on bird ridge this evening at about 6pm. A hiker was caught and carried an estimated 100 feet. Hiker and their partner were hiking back to the main trail after venturing off to the side. The first hiker crossed the slope and made it to the trail and while the second hiker was crossing it broke while they were still on the slope. It was right next to the main trail. The hiker was not fully buried and was able to extract themselves pretty quickly with no major injuries. There was a big whumpf as the hiker made their way out from the debris pile to the main trail, but the slope angle was mellow at that point.
The slide continued past where the hiker stopped and how far it ran is uncertain.
Forecaster Comments
| Trigger | Foot Penetration | Remote Trigger | Unknown |
| Avalanche Type | Wet Slab | Aspect | Southwest |
| Elevation | 1500ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | 18in | Width | 50ft |
| Vertical Run | unknown |
Near Miss / Accident Details
| Number Caught/Carried? | 1 | Number Partially Buried? | 1 |
| Number Fully Buried? | 0 | Number Injured? | 0 |
| Number Fatalities? | 0 |
image0 (1)
image1 (1)