Summit Lake

Avalanche problems

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1–2

  The lack of significant snowfall in Summit Lake over the past month makes the potential for avalanches on buried weak layers much less likely compared to the neighboring Turnagain Pass and Seward and Lost Lake areas. The most concerning locations are at upper elevations, where deeper recent snowfall or wind loading in localized pockets has added enough of a slab on top of potential weak layers to make human triggered avalanches possible.  

  We recommend assessing the snowpack before entering steep terrain and, as always, practicing safe travel protocols to minimize the exposure of your group to avalanche terrain. Since the depth of potential weak layers is shallower (1-2' deep), you should be able to assess them more easily using hand pits, snow pits, or small test slopes. If you find a concerning weak layer in the snowpack, you can always manage the issue by sticking to low angle terrain and avoiding slopes connected to steeper terrain above.

  There are several deeper buried weak layers in the Summit Lake snowpack, but we have not seen any avalanche activity on deeper layers in over a month. We will continue to monitor these layers, but we only expect them to be an issue again with significant new snowfall or as the snowpack transitions to spring wet avalanche conditions.

  Other concerns today include loose snow avalanches on steep slopes triggered by the sun, cornice fall, and glide avalanches.  Try to avoid traveling underneath glide cracks or expose one person at a time to minimize time underneath these unpredictable hazards.