Bollettino valanghe

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Strong northerly winds blew in last night averaging in the 20 mph range for several hours. This could make it easy for a person to trigger an avalanche in windblown snow up to 2' deep. In wind sheltered areas, dry loose avalanches could have serious consequences if they carry you into rocks or over a cliff. Finally, there is still a small chance a person could trigger a very large avalanche on weak snow buried up to 6' deep. All of today's problems primarily exist above 2,500' and can be avoided by choosing low angle or simple terrain.

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Join us TODAY, Feb 15th for a Free Avalanche Rescue Clinic! Located at the Glen Alps Trailhead, all are welcome! There will be a wide range of rescue scenarios for both beginners and seasoned backcountry enthusiasts. Session 1 – 10am to 12pm | Session 2 – 1pm to 3pm. Limited rentals and space available. Register here.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Above 2,500' there is still a small chance a person could be very unlucky and find a thin spot to trigger a very large avalanche on the December facets. This problem is very difficult to assess when it is buried this deep. On Thursday, we dug a snowpit at 3,400' on Sunburst and got a stubborn, but unstable result, which tells us we shouldn't forget about it just yet. This problem exists in the same place as the wind slab today so you can avoid all of these problems by choosing terrain in the lower elevations where there is soft snow from recent cold storms.

    (2/12/2026)

    Snowpit at 3,400 ft on Sunburst highlighting unstable test results on the December facet layer (ECTP27).

    Photo: Marc Heifetz

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Recent Avalanches: We haven't heard of any new avalanches since a few small wind slabs were reported on Seattle Ridge Wednesday.

    Winds calmed into the single digits as of early this morning, and the avalanche danger decreases with time from the loading event. Strong north winds are forecast to increase into the 20s mph again early this afternon, which could rapidly increase the danger. If the wind remains calm, wind slabs in this area may be getting old by the time you get out there today. As time passes, they become more stubborn, which means you can get further out onto the slab before it releases. Or they may have stabilized already, it's impossible to know. Wind slabs form just under the ridgelines, in cross-loaded gullies like the ones on the front side of Seattle Ridge, and on steep rolls. Watch for shooting cracks, which are a clear sign they have not stabilized and need more time. The photo here shows complex terrain where slopes could be cross-loaded and we could get surprised part way down a slope. Getting caught in a small wind slab in this type of terrain can have serious consequences.

    Dry Loose Avalanches: The snow has remained cold for several days and dry loose avalanches could still occur in steep terrain. The wind today should keep the snow cool, but the sun is forecast to shine, which can trigger this type of avalanche naturally. Dry loose avalanches can sweep us off our feet in take us into places with consequences like trees and cliffs. Choose slopes with clear runouts to avoid these consequences.

    (2/12/2026)

    This photo was taken on Thursday of old avalanches in the Library, but it shows the locations  where wind slabs can be easily triggered and have a serious outcome.

    Photo: Andy Moderow

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