Bollettino valanghe

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
Senza grado
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In sintesi

Large storm slab avalanches 2 to 3’ deep will be easy to trigger today and 4’+ deep in areas that are wind loaded. This snow is sitting on top of weak snow that may make a slope even easier to trigger. Natural avalanches may occur. Look out for and avoid traveling under slopes where glide cracks could release and cornices could fall creating large avalanches above you. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. The safest option is to avoid steep wind loaded slopes and consider more conservative objectives if you find yourself above treeline. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

From the Alaska Department of Transportation: There will be intermittent traffic delays Tuesday January 7th, 2025 on the Seward Highway and Portage Glacier Highway for Avalanche Hazard Reduction work from mileposts 83 (South of Girdwood and North of Portage). Motorists should expect delays of up to 45 minutes between 09:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Updates will be posted on 511.alaska.gov.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    2–3

    Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. Strong overnight winds and another 15 to 20" of snow will make it easy for a human to trigger a large avalanche 2 to 3’ deep. These slabs may be deeper where snow has been blown into wind slabs 3 to 5’ deep (more about this below). All this snow is on top of weak snow that was on the surface before this storm. We are not sure how easy it will be to trigger an avalanche on this layer which is a big question mark. Natural avalanches are also still possible. If you are unsure whether or not to enter avalanche terrain today, listen to your gut and stick to lower angle slopes. 

    This is the day to move slowly and intentionally in the backcountry. Assess conditions carefully, looking for recent avalanche activity, and shooting cracks underneath you. Test small slopes as you travel. Missing a clue or making a mistake could have severe consequences. Expose one person at a time to the slope you choose to ride and use safe zones.

    Storm totals since the beginning of the storm - all snowfall guesses are above 2000':

    • Girdwood: 3.5-4" water (40+" snow). 
    • Turnagain Pass: 3+" water (~36" snow).                                                            
    • Summit Lake: 1.5-2" water (15-20" snow).                                    
    • Seward/Lost Lake: 3 to 4"" water (35 to 45" snow). 

    Cornice Fall: Huge cornices have likely formed after this storm and may fall off ridges, triggering a large avalanche above you. They are probably near their breaking point so try to avoid traveling under slopes where they have formed. 

    (1/6/2025)

    Stormy conditons yesterday in Turnagain Pass, but there was snow  falling in the Moto Lot!

    Photo: Andrew Schauer

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2–3

    We typically see an increase in glide avalanche activity after warm storms like this one. New glide cracks may have opened and some may be hard to see on slopes with all of this new snow. Check out this observation if you are heading to Tincan today.

    I know we have had this problem for most of the winter but today is not a day to be complacent if you encounter a glide crack.These avalanches can be very large and destructive and release spontaneously. The safest option is to avoid traveling under them. If you must, limit time under them and expose one person at a time. 

     

    (1/5/2025)

    Watch out for these two Glide cracks heading up the Tincan uptrack. 

    Photo: Kakiko Ramos-Leon

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