The Chugach Avalanche Center warned travelers Friday that several avalanches have been triggered in Turnagain Pass.
“We need to travel in the mountains with a conservative mindset and approach all slopes over 30 degrees with the potential to trigger a large slab capable of burying, injuring or killing a person,” the advisory said.
The center reported on that Friday a snowmachiner had been fully buried in an avalanche set off by a rider sidehilling on a slope.
Avalanche risk in Turnagain Pass remained considerable to moderate last week. The center reported Saturday that current avalanche danger was considerable above 1,000 feet in elevation and moderate below 1,000 feet.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Whittier, Seward, Girdwood and Moose Pass. Starting Sunday evening, people in those areas should prepare for between 12 to 25 inches of heavy snow and winds up to 35 miles per hour.
The Chugach Avalanche Center regularly posts advisories on its Instagram page @chugachavy and its Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center Facebook page.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
Snow conditions and snowmachine-triggered avalanches are seen in Turnagain Pass on Dec. 3, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Chugach Avalanche Center)
