Lawinenlagebericht

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Above 2,500' wind slab avalanches 1 to 2’ deep could be sitting over a weak layer of snow making them easier to trigger for longer than expected. The safest option is to avoid steep wind loaded slopes. There is still a chance someone could trigger an avalanche 2 to 6’ deep where the snow is thin. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fall naturally above you and give them plenty of room on ridges because they can break further back than expected. 

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It has been a tragic week of fatal avalanche accidents in the lower 48. In addition to the accident involving a large group outside of Lake Tahoe, there were two fatal accidents in Utah. Our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, and all of the responders involved. All investigations are ongoing, but preliminary information may be found at sierraavalanchecenter.org and utahavalanchecenter.org.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Human triggered avalanches were reported on Raggedtop and Tincan on Thursday. It is likely that natural avalanches occurred during this wind event and have yet to be reported. Otherwise, there were two natural avalanches in Girdwood Valley and one in Lynx Creek that may have released on 2/14.

    Strong northwest winds finally began to decrease yesterday evening. We are left with a mostly wind sculpted landscape where the biggest concern is triggering a wind slab avalanche 1 to 2’ deep. These will likely be easier to trigger for longer than expected because they may be sitting over a layer of weak, faceted snow. This setup with a hard slab over weak snow will be a bigger issue above 2,500’ where more snow and wind created larger wind slabs but be on the look out for them at mid elevations as well. 

    Harder wind slab avalanches can have the characteristic of allowing someone to make several turns before the slope fractures. They typically form below ridgelines, convex rolls, and in gullies. If you find yourself traveling on hard snow (slab) that is on top of soft snow (weak snow), or you see shooting cracks you are likely traveling on a wind slab. Your safest option is to steer clear of steep wind loaded slopes instead looking for wind sheltered snow.

    Cornices could be precariously perched on ridgelines ready to fall as the sun comes out. Be wary of these above you and cautious on ridgelines not to accidentally step on them. They have the tendency to break further back than expected and could trigger an avalanche below you.

    (2/19/2026)

    Winds slab avalanche John triggered Thursday on Raggedtop. 

    Photo: John Sykes

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    There is a layer of weak, faceted snow buried 2 to 6’ deep that we have been concerned about for almost two months. Maybe we have trust issues, but it can be hard to trust a weak layer especially when the avalanche could be large and consequential. Over time we have seen less avalanches occurring on this layer and the snow grains seem to be gaining strength. We are still wary of thin spots above 2,500’ where it could be easier to trigger a large avalanche. The safer option is to choose slopes without cliffs, trees, and terrain traps where avalanche debris could carry you. 

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