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
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 2 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Strong east winds will be creating fresh wind slabs up to 1.5’ deep above 2,000’. These may be forming over buried weak layers which will make them easier to trigger. The safest option is to avoid steep wind loaded slopes. Below 2000’ wet loose avalanches will be easier to trigger on steep slopes where the snow is wet. Other hazards include glide avalanches releasing and cornice fall due to warmer temperatures and strong winds. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong east winds will be forming fresh wind slabs 1 to 1.5’ deep above 2,000’. These may be deeper in the Girdwood Valley and in Portage. Easterly winds picked up overnight with Sunburst recording 60 mph gusts and are expected to be strong today (20 to 30 mph) with 40 mph gusts. These will likely be forming on top of weak snow that formed during the past 2 weeks of clear, cold weather. This setup with a wind slab over weak layers will probably create slightly larger avalanches that will be a little easier to trigger than expected. Yesterday a skier was caught and carried in a small wind slab avalanche approximately 6" deep on Kickstep Mtn. Check out the observation here. 

    Wind slabs typically form below ridgelines, convex rolls, and in loaded gullies. Active wind loading, and recent avalanche activity indicate the snow is being stressed and capable of avalanching. Getting on small inconsequential slopes looking for shooting cracks beneath you or triggering a small slide are a great way to see how easy it could be to trigger a larger avalanche on bigger slopes. These clues can help to make informed decisions about whether or not to ease into steep terrain today. The safest option is to choose slopes that are not wind loaded. Cornices will continue to grow today and may break off and trigger a wind slab avalanche above you. Consider spacing out and exposing one person at a time if you travel under a cornice. 

    It will be easy to trigger loose avalanches on steep slopes. There were reports of wet loose avalanches seen below 2,000’. Above the freezing line where the snow is dryer, dry loose avalanches could be a problem in places protected by the wind. Both of these can entrain a lot of snow and carry someone off a cliff or into the trees.

    So many things to look out for today. Glide avalanches are making a comeback with new glide avalanches being reported almost every day including one yesterday on Seattle Ridge. These avalanches can be huge so if you see a glide crack above you (looks like a brown frown), looking for ways around them is the safest option or move one at time past them.

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