Persistent Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Likely
- Größe
- 2–3
Recent Avalanches: Multiple remotely triggered avalanches were reported in the Lost Lake area on Friday. Large avalanches were seen on mountains surrounding Seward over the weekend including peaks that are closer to Lost Lake. We suspect these are from a layer of surface hoar that is responsible for many avalanches in Turnagain Pass.
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today meaning it will be easy to trigger a large avalanche 2 to 3’ deep on a layer of buried surface hoar. We experienced collapsing snow and shooting cracks yesterday that propagated around 100’ from our snowmachines. These are clues telling us that the snow is still very concerning. Multiple avalanches have been remotely triggered meaning that people traveling on lower angle slopes are triggering avalanches above them or on slopes adjacent to them. Another scary problem we are seeing is that you may not find it on the slope you are on then travel another 100’ and trigger an avalanche. Snow tests also are giving stable and unstable results. Because of these two reasons our biggest concern is that someone decides a slope is safe to ride and then they trigger a large avalanche.
These are times when it is important to think about the big picture. There have been multiple human triggered avalanches which likely failed on very weak snow. This layer is extremely challenging to assess. Instead of trying to outsmart the problem the safest option is to make conservative decisions today and ride less consequential terrain away from steep overhead slopes.
Loose Avalanches: Look out for dry loose avlanches in dry snow and wet loose avalanches on sunny slopes. These are triggered underneath you and may be larger than expected with the potential to carry a person into trees or off of a cliff.
Cornices falling will likely trigger a large avalanche above you today. Spend as little time underneath them as possible or avoid them altogether. If you find yourself on a ridge, give them plenty of room.
Glide avalanches: Keep in mind if you encounter glide cracks that they can release at any time as a large glide avalanche. If you cannot avoid them try to spend as little time under them as possible.
