Seward and Lost Lake

Avalanche problems

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2–3

  A layer of surface hoar buried 1 to 3’ deep is still capable of creating a large avalanche. This type of weak layer is notorious for taking months to heal which is unusual to a lot of us. Usually weak layers tend to gain strength faster but this has not been the case for this layer in Turnagain Pass where many human triggered avalanches have occurred. There have been less human triggered avalanches in Lost Lake and Seward which is telling us that this layer may be harder to trigger. The truth is we are not sure exactly how dangerous this layer is because we have limited information in these zones. 

  You can completely avoid this probem by sticking to lower angle terrain away from overhead slopes. If you do decide to venture into steep terrain, look for slopes that fan out and do not have terrain traps such as gullies or creeks where snow can pile up. People have triggered avalanches above them from relatively flat terrain. Human-triggered avalanches on this weak layer have occurred on slopes with many tracks on them so do not assume these slopes are safe.

  

• 

  Glide Cracks

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2–3

  Warm temperatures have arrived and with that we have seen many glide cracks releasing into large glide avalanches. These have been running to valley bottoms where people may be traveling. Glide cracks can release spontaneously into a large avalanche so the safest option is to avoid traveling under them. This is the case in Seward where a huge glide crack is located above the summer jeep trail. 

  Wet Loose Avalanches have been releasing naturally and will be easy to trigger on sunny slopes (east, south, west) as temperatures warm up. These may release from a point and get larger as they carry more snow down the slope or trigger a small slab avalanche. Seek shadier slopes if you find yourself in the sun and see rollerballs releasing. Worst case scenario, one of these avalanches could trigger a large avalanche on a buried weak layer. 

  Cornices tend to start falling in the spring and could trigger an avalanche from above. As the temperatures warm up in the afternoon try to avoid spending time underneath cornices especially if you are on sunny slopes and give them a lot of room on ridgelines. 

  Lingering wind slabs around 1’ deep are possible at upper elevations. There have been reports that there is less snow available for transport so we think they may be in isolated, less common places. Keep an eye out for hollow sounding, stiff snow as well as shooting cracks which are clues you are traveling on a wind slab.