Lawinenlagebericht

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Wed
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist last year abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Avalanche conditions are dangerous and it will be easy to trigger a large avalanche 2 to 3' deep on a layer of buried surface hoar above 1.500’. There have been many remote triggered avalanches on steep slopes above people who were not even on the slope. This is a good example of how easy it is to trigger an avalanche today. We recommend choosing lower angle slopes as this problem is scary and extremely difficult to assess. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

We are sorry to report a fatal avalanche accident that occurred outside of Girdwood on the afternoon of March 4, 2025. Three people were caught and killed in an avalanche in the west fork of the Twentymile River. We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and families of all parties involved. We have posted a preliminary accident report on our website. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Wind slabs around 2’ deep may be easy to trigger on wind loaded slopes above treeline. Look out for shooting cracks and snow that becomes stiff. It is likely that triggering a wind slab avalanche will trigger a much larger avalanche on the layer of buried surface hoar. 

    Wind slabs are more common in steep terrain below ridgelines, rollovers (convexities), and in loaded gullies. Look out for shooting cracks, collapsing, and snow that becomes stiff underneath you. These are clues you are traveling on snow that has not bonded well to the old snow. The safest option is to look for slopes that are sheltered from the wind.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: There were reports of multiple remotely triggered avalanches in the Lost Lake area on Friday. Large avalanches were also seen on the mountains around Seward and on Resurrection South Peak closer to Lost Lake. It is likely that more avalanches have occurred over the weekend due to the fact that Seward has the same weak layer of surface hoar that is responsible for so many avalanches in Turnagain Pass.

    Conditions remain dangerous, meaning it will be easy to trigger a large avalanche on a reactive layer of surface hoar buried up to 3’ deep on all aspects above 1500’. Around 12” of storm snow has also increased the size of these avalanches and the chance of a human triggering them. This layer is not gaining strength quickly which is obvious due to the high frequency of human triggered avalanches. From what we know these have been triggered remotely meaning that you can be traveling on a low angle slope and trigger an avalanche above you. What is also concerning is that travel tests can produce stable results on a dangerous slope making it seem safe and then the slope you are skiing avalanches. It is also possible that a smaller avalanche within the new snow could step down to the buried surface hoar layer, releasing a large avalanche.

    This weak layer should not be underestimated. It has been responsible for many human triggered avalanches. The mountains are telling us that the cards are not stacked in our favor. We recommend choosing conservative objectives as this problem is dangerous and extremely difficult to assess. 

    Dry loose snow avalanches are likely due to the light snow that fell on Sunday. Wet loose avalanches will be easy to trigger on sunny slopes and have been large enough to carry someone where they do not want to go (into trees or off cliffs). 

    Look out for cornice falls today on slopes above you. It is likely that they will trigger a large avalanche above you. Try to avoid spending time under them and give them a lot of room on ridgelines.  

    Glide cracks continue to open and can release into a large glide avalanche at any time. These are spontaneous events and can be large and destructive so try to avoid spending time under them. 

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