| Trigger | Natural | Remote Trigger | 0 |
| Avalanche Type | Unknown | Aspect | Southwest |
| Elevation | 1500ft | Slope Angle | unknown |
| Crown Depth | 24in | Width | 500ft |
| Vertical Run | 800ft |
Avalanche: Girdwood
Location: Road Observations along Girdwood and Turnagain Pass
With a high avalanche danger, rain, wind and snow, CNFAIC staff observed the Gun Missions by the AKDOT and AKRR Avalanche Programs along the Seward Highway as well as took stock of any natural avalanches that could be seen at/near Turnagain Pass.
Avalanche Details
Natural Avalanche noted on the lower slopes of Wolverine Ridge on the North end of Turnagain Pass. Photo below.
Several natural avalanches seen today along the Seward Highway. With the low visibility we were limited to looking for new debris in gullies and runouts. A few additional debris piles could be seen in the guts of East face of Seattle Ridge. Also several gullies along the Seward Highway near Turnagain Arm slid to sea level, including the Indicator Path that sits just across the Arm from the Tesoro gas station.
Avalanche reduction work by AKDOT and AKRR pulled out many slabs with impressive powder clouds - debris was wet by the time it reached sea level (due to rain on snow below 1,000'). And active day for avalanches!
Obvious signs of instability
| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observer Comments
Recent avalanches seen from the road.
Weather
Light to moderate rain below 900' and wet snow snow above.
Winds were gusty from the East and North along the road but backed off by the afternoon.
32F on Turnagain Pass
Avalanche reduction work along Seward Highway
Powder cloud associated with an avalanche triggered during reduction work by AKDOT Avalanche Program
Avalanche debris below the 'Five Fingers' avalanche path just South of Bird
Crown of an avalanche triggered during reduction work just South of Girdwood
Wolverine Ridge natural avalanche, mentioned above
Debris on the South end of Seattle Ridge
Poor visibility but Magnum poked out just enough to see wind transport on top of ridge
Rain Runnels on 'Rookie Hill' near the Turnagian Pass motorized parking lot