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Post by NorthWes on Jan 18, 2012 11:17:11 GMT -9
Anecdotal reports from persons working along the Seward Highway indicate the slopes above the Turnagain Arm Trail are carrying unusually heavy snowloads for this time of year. Of special concern is the stretch between Falls Creek (Highway Mile 105.7) to Windy Point (Highway Mile 107) and on to Rainbow (Highway Mile 108). This comprises the southern end of the Turnagain Trail complex. Cachers should avoid the trail in this area until further notice. Workers may or may not do avalanche mitigation work in this area (blasting down snow).
We'll be tracking trail work via the Chugach State Park website (which as of yet has not mentioned the avalanche hazard on this portion of the trail).
Exercise caution in any mountainous terrain - remembering that avalanches can occur anywhere there's snow and sloped terrain. Just a week ago the Seward Highway was closed due to avalanches in the McHugh area which were large enough to bring debris all the way down onto the highway. No smiley is worth the hazard of traveling in areas of known avalanche danger!
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Post by tomanoble on Jan 18, 2012 18:09:29 GMT -9
Beaware of backcountry avalanche danger as well! Down near Indian there was a huge avalanche which slid down and almost oblitertated ground zero of the cache In Between and one had to cross avalanche debris for months to get to Well Guarded. This was around the time they were published as the avalanche occurred before the FTF's did. (For time of year reference.)
Please pay attention when you hear of backcountry avalanche alerts and check to see if you are headed into those areas. Choose where you travel wisely when backcountry caching.
Thanks.
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Post by SSO JOAT on Jan 18, 2012 19:19:53 GMT -9
Something I've always pointed out when folks start talking about avalanche danger listings on park websites and such...
Learn to read the slopes! There is no website that can keep you out of all avalanche danger. Each person should learn about avalanches and learn to read their own snow conditions and slopes. That way, when you get to the area you are planning to play in, you can look around you and say, "let's go somewhere else today".
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Post by NorthWes on Jan 19, 2012 10:03:46 GMT -9
Tomanoble & SSO JOAT both nailed the issue - snow on a slope (sounds like a jingle I've heard before, but with different words).
No warnings or closures or signs can replace the good judgement of the backcountry traveler. Good judgement is acquired by learning, and you don't want to learn about avalanches the experiential way! Read and/or take the courses offered in how to travel in snow country.
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Post by NorthWes on Apr 14, 2012 13:46:10 GMT -9
As you travel the Turnagain Arm Trail this late spring and early summer it would be neat to have photo reports of avalanche damage / crossings encountered along the trail.
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Post by fuzzybelly on Apr 23, 2012 6:39:22 GMT -9
The trail on turnagain arm, above Mchugh creek is quite wet, and muddy, with water running where it shouldn't be, and even some last remains of slushy snow to work through. But the trail is also nice in some areas, and the views through the still leafless trees are awesome.
I only suggest wearing some water proof boots, and get up there and grab some new FlightRiskAk caches.
You can check out trail photos at cache page, GC3hm8h.
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Post by NorthWes on Apr 23, 2012 11:31:09 GMT -9
I'm looking forward to some good hikes up there this spring and summer! I almost always wear the knee-high rubber boots...
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