Turnagain Pass

Fall 2023 has arrived

Today, September 23rd, officially marks the first day of fall and with that we’d like to announce some upcoming events and early season avalanche reminders. See below!

Upcoming Events:

Oct 24, 8:15pm-  Snow Stories 5.0 – Annual BearTooth Avalanche Center Fundraiser!

• Get stoked for the winter with the Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center. The night will feature local speakers who will be serving up stories of adventure, laughs, and some lessons along the way.
  Tickets and details HERE.

Nov 10, 9:00am to 4:30pm-  Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop

• Alaska’s Annual snow science workshop (SAAW). This event is geared for both snow professionals and public backcountry users alike. If you are a snow/avalanche geek, this is the event for you! Please see details and registration at akavalancheworkshop.org.
  Tickets on sale now! HERE

Nov 14, 7:00pm- MSP Ski Film!

• MatchStick Productions – “The Land of Giants” – Trailer HERE.
  Showing at the West Anchorage High School Auditorium. Doors open at 6pm.
  Tickets HERE ($20 in advance and $25 at the door).

• SCHOLARSHIPS:
  • Several Avalanche Education Scholarships are available. These are through endowments in memory of Amy Downing and Rob Hammel along with 8 additional scholarships in partnership with the Alaska Avalanche School. Scholarships open for application on October 1, deadlines are December 1. Check them out for yourself and/or please pass along to anyone that may be interested.

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Chugach NF Avalanche Center – early season operations:

• The Avalanche Center will begin issuing intermittent snow, weather and avalanche updates as conditions warrant from late October 2023 through mid November.
• Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin around Thanksgiving week.

Early season reminders:

• Early season avalanches happen and can catch any of us off guard.
  • Watch for the famous signs of instability – the Red Flags (recent avalanches, cracking/whumpfing in the snow around you, strong wind, recent snowfall and/or rain).
  • Heading into the mountains during, or right after, a snowfall is the most dangerous time. This is when avalanches are most likely to occur; especially important to realize for hunters and others that may not have avalanches in the forefront of their minds.
• PLEASE, send us your reports if you head into the mountains! It’s easy – even just a photo is greatly appreciated.

Avalanche rescue gear and communications:

• This is a great time to be sure your rescue gear is working properly.
  • Beacons (avalanche transceivers) need fresh batteries
  • Probes need to be able to assemble properly with no weak points in the cable
  • Shovels are not damaged and it is a true avalanche shovel
  • Airbags should be charged, working properly, and tested
• Is your InReach up to date and associated with the correct contacts

*REMEMBER, the best way to keep tabs on current events/information for the early season is on our Facebook page and Instagram!!*

Max’s Mtn on the left with Big League just behind it on the last day of summer 2023. Photographed from our Forest Service office in Girdwood by Carolyn Seramur, longtime avy center supporter and FS colleague. 09.22.23.

Looking across Turnagian Arm at the Kenai Mtns with Alpenglow on the far right. Thanks again to Carolyn Seramur for the pics! 09.22.23.