Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

During this period of calm weather, we are mostly concerned about lingering buried weak layers at upper elevations and glide avalanches. Above 2500' human triggered avalanches 2+' deep are possible in isolated areas on buried weak layers. We recommend evaluating the snowpack before entering steep terrain. Also, try to avoid spending time underneath glide cracks to minimize your exposure to possible glide avalanches. 

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Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Our main concern today is the potential for human triggered avalanches on lingering pockets of buried surface hoar about 2' deep or deeper above 2500'. These weak layers were buried in mid-December and due to the recent prolonged stormy weather we don't have much information about how widespread they are or if they are still possible for people to trigger. Please send an observation if you get out in Turnagain Pass. 

    We recommend evaluating the snowpack before committing to steep slopes by looking for red flags, jumping on test slopes, and using hand pits or snowpits to test for weak layers buried in the snowpack. These can be hard to see in the snowpack, but if you get a clean break in a hand pit or snowpit it is worth looking carefully at the snow grains at the fracture interface to try and spot buried surface hoar. You can always stick to lower angle terrain to avoid this problem entirely.

    Cornice Fall: The holiday storm built fresh cornices which could be sensitive to the weight of a person. Remember to give cornices a wide berth if you are traveling along ridgelines.

    Example of buried surface hoar layer on Seattle Creek from Dec 19th. This layer now has the snowfall from the holiday storm on top of it.

    Photo: Andrew Schauer

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The lack of visibility in recent days has prevented us from tracking the glide avalanche cycle, but it is safe to assume they are still occurring. We recommend avoiding traveling underneath glide cracks because they can release spontaneously and cause large and destructive avalanches. 

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