Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Glide cracks are releasing as avalanches on commonly skied slopes and over skin tracks in Turnagain Pass. This problem can be avoided by choosing not to travel under these "brown" cracks or exposing one person at a time if you must move past them. There is also a small chance of triggering a stubborn wind slab in steep terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

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

    Glide cracks continue to open and release into large, destructive avalanches on frequently skied slopes in Turnagain Pass. Try to avoid traveling directly under these brown cracks and only expose one person at a time if you must move past them on your trip. 

    This avalanche problem is impossible to predict because these cracks spontaneously release and are usually large enough to travel to the bottom of valleys and cover up skin tracks. They have been observed in and above treeline on all slopes including north aspects where glide cracks/avalanches seem less frequent.  

    Otherwise, the snowpack is generally stable and triggering a small wind slab in steep terrain is unlikely. The last time this type of avalanche occurred was almost a week ago below the CFR ridge on Tincan's north slope. 

    (11/21/2024)

    Ski and skin tracks below multiple glide cracks.

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