Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Recent Avalanches: It has been eight days since human triggered avalanches were reported on Taylor Pass and Magnum. These were about 1’ deep and likely failed on a weak layer of snow. There was also an avalanche on Todd’s Bowl where a human triggered dry loose avalanche triggered a much larger avalanche.

  There are several weak layers buried 1 to 2’ deep that we are watching out for today. Most of the avalanches on these layers occurred a week ago above 2,500’. Avalanches may be larger and easier to trigger in Portage, Placer Valley, and Whittier. Unfortunately weak layers can be hard to assess in the field. Snow pit tests may not be reliable, and red flags such as whumphfing sounds or shooting cracks may not be present. The best way to manage this problem is by choosing slopes that have a clean runout which means there are no rocks or trees in them and if an avalanche was triggered the debris would fan out instead of piling up in a terrain trap. Practice safe traveling in consiquential terrain by exposing only one person at a time on the way up and down. Consider that small dry or wet loose avalanches may trigger one of these weak layers resulting in a larger avalanche than expected.  

  Wind Slabs may be problematic below ridgelines and convex rolls where they tend to form. The snow underneath you may feel firm and sound hollow or you may see shooting cracks, all signs you are traveling on a wind slab. 

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  1–2

  As the sun heats up the snow it will become easier for rollerballs to release naturally and for you to trigger a wet loose avalanche. These will be more likely in the afternoon on steep, sunny slopes and at lower elevations where the snow is wet. These could be larger than expected and run for long distances. If you are sinking up to your shins in snow the safest option is to head to shaded slopes or lower angle terrain. There is also a chance that a wet loose avalanche may trigger a larger avalanche on a layer of weak snow. 

  This is the season where cornices begin falling off of ridges potentially triggering avalanches above you. Keep your head up and don’t linger under them. If you are on a ridge make sure you are not on a cornice. Your weight could cause it to fall, triggering an avalanche.