Lawinenlagebericht

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 7 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

We are six days out from a major snow event that caused many natural and human-triggered avalanches across the forecast area.  While natural avalanches will be less likely today, there is still a serious risk of triggering large avalanches above 1,000'.  These may be triggered remotely from adjacent terrain or low-angle slopes connected to steeper terrain.  Cautious route finding and conservative decision making for skiers and snowmachiners is essential today, given the current persistent slab avalanche problem.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Support this avalanche forecast with Pick.Click.Give. today! Please consider participating in the Pick.Click.Give program as you apply for your Alaska PFD this year. Your contribution to the Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center helps to fund 50% of our annual operating budget. This covers weather station maintenance, safety equipment, forecaster salaries, research projects, and ensures professional, daily avalanche advisories all winter long for your favorite backcountry ski and snowmachine zones on the Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park. THANK YOU!

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    2–3

    Recent avalanches: January 16th- 17th was the peak of avalanche activity across all forecast zones, with dozens of natural and human-triggered avalanches recorded from Anchorage to Seward. Additionally, the avalanche pictured here was noted in an observation from Lost Lake on Monday.  

    Persistent slab avalanches are responsible for the majority of accidents and fatalities among backcountry users.  Tracking and identifying weak layers isn't the difficult part.  The crust/ facet combo we're dealing with is well documented and easy to identify, particularly in the 1,500 to 2,500' range, where it shows up as a solid grey line 2 to 4' below the surface.  Above ~ 2,500', where the crust begins to thin and disappear, we still have very weak snow causing large, connected avalanches.  Predicting when and where backcountry users will affect these weak layers is the part that proves challenging, particularly the further we get from a loading event.  Shooting cracks or whumpfing in the snow may not present the obvious red flags they did a week ago, but understand that if you're out in the backcountry today, that persistent weak layer responsible for remote-triggered avalanches as recently as yesterday exists 2 to 4' below your sled track. 

    Fortunately, there are some ways to mitigate this avalanche problem, as this is likely to be a concern for some time.  Sticking to low-angle (simple) terrain with no overhead hazard is a good strategy.  This means parking sleds well away from the toe of slopes.  If you do find yourself stepping into more complex terrain, maintaining safe travel habits will be key.  This means spacing out, exposing only one person at a time to avalanche terrain, and keeping eyes on your partners.  Be rescue ready and consider the consequences if a slope does slide.  Small slopes that end in terrain traps can be deadly.

    Wind Slabs: Forecast zones saw moderate to strong winds on Sunday/ Monday, moving a significant amount of snow around, particularly in the upper elevations.  It's possible someone could trigger a stubborn wind slab today with the potential to step down into deeper layers mentioned above.

    (1/19/2026)

    This is a prime example of small terrain that can have deadly consequences if a rider were to end up at the bottom of this gully.

    Photo submitted anonymously

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