Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Avalanche problems

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Very Likely

  Size

  1–2

  The storm yesterday produced about 1 to 2' of snow above 1500', with Girdwood receiving more precipitation than Turnagain Pass. Human triggered avalanches were failing easily yesterday at the interface of the new snow and the old snow surface, based on an observation from Tincan. We expect the new snow will remain unstable today because of a weak layer of surface hoar that was buried under the new storm snow. This type of snowpack setup can catch you off guard because avalanches are possible on relatively low angle slopes and can be triggered remotely. Meaning you could trigger an avalanche from above, below, or to the sides of steeper slopes. 

  We recommend giving the new snow time to settle by sticking to low angle terrain and avoiding runout zones of large overhead avalanche paths. Terrain that was recently wind loaded could also be ripe for human triggered avalanches after the storm yesterday. These wind slabs often have a hollow drum like sound and tend to be located along ridgelines and convex features where wind transported snow tends to collect. Keep an eye out for red flags, like recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or collapsing, to identify areas where human triggered avalanches are most likely. 

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2–3

  In addition to the new storm snow avalanches, there are several buried weak layers of surface hoar in the snowpack that could cause larger and more dangerous avalanches. These weak layers are now buried about 2 to 4' deep and could cause very large and wide propagating avalanches that run out into low elevation terrain. Now that the storm has ended, natural avalanches are less likely on these buried weak layers, but human triggered avalanches remain possible and could be very dangerous. The best way to avoid these problems is to stay in simple, lower angle terrain and avoid runout zones of overhead avalanche paths. 

• 

  Glide Cracks

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Likely

  Size

  2–3

  Glide avalanches continue to release throughout the forecast zone and are highly unpredictable. These avalanches release to the ground and are very destructive and dangerous to be involved with. There is no way to predict when glide avalanches are going to release, so the best way to minimize your exposure is to limit the amount of time you spend underneath glide cracks. It is important to continuously scan the slopes above you to look for new glide cracks forming.