Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Avalanche problems

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1–2

  Recent Avalanches: It has been 3 days since we've received a report of a human-triggered avalanche in any of our zones. Over the weekend there were multiple human-triggered avalanches on different aspects and elevations above 1,500', some of which were triggered remotely (from some distance away from the avalanche).  One of these avalanches, that occurred on Saturday, resulted in a full buial and significant injury to a skier on Max's in Girdwood. 

  Reports from yesterday indicate the snowpack is adjusting to the storm snow from Friday in many places, but we know it is still possible a person could trigger a large avalanche. What we know about this snowpack:

  • It has poor structure with multiple weak layers buried at different depths.
  • As recently as 3 days ago there were reports of remote-triggered avalanches on these layers that produced avalanches large enough to bury a person.
  • This type of weak layer can give unrelieable snowpit test results.
  • Multiple tracks can be on a slope before a person finds the trigger spot. 

  It does seem like the weak layers are less sensitive to a human trigger over the last 3 days, which is probably the case, but there have been less people out. We don't know exactly how sensitive the weak layers are or where the trigger spots are, although they are ususally thin spots in the snowpack close to rocks. Ensure your groups safety gear is checked at the parking lot and travel one at a time in steep terrain. Choose slopes with clear runouts and no terrain traps to reduce your chances of injury or worse if the slope slides. 

  Loose Avalanches: The cold temperatures seem to be holding off the Wet Loose avalanche problem for now, but this could change rapidly at any time. Watch for the tell tale rollerballs to know the surface is heating up and Wet Loose avalanches could be triggered by a person. The clear skies and cold temperatures are also weakening the surface snow on northerly aspects so Dry Loose avalanches should be growing larger by the day. 

  Cornice Fall: Temperatures on the ridgelines have been cold, but the sun is powerful and there are some monster cornices out there at this point. Give cornices space especially as they heat up in the afternoon sun.