A 16-year-old teenager named Tucker Challan from Soldotna, Alaska died after triggering an avalanche while snowmachining on the backside of Seattle Ridge in Turnagain Pass, located southeast of Anchorage. The avalanche, about 500 feet wide, buried Challan about 10-feet deep due to a weak layer of snow located beneath the newer snow. The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center had been warning of this weak layer for weeks, and similar conditions had led to the deaths of three heli-skiers earlier in the month near Girdwood.
The Alaska Mountain Rescue Group recovered Challan’s body from the avalanche, making him the fourth person killed in snow slides in Alaska in March. Avalanche conditions remain dangerous due to the presence of the weak layer, and experts recommend staying on slopes that are not steep enough to slide to avoid triggering an avalanche.
Wendy Wagner, the director of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, emphasized the importance of being cautious when venturing into avalanche-prone areas, especially when a weak layer is present beneath the snow surface. She reiterated the need to stick to lower angle slopes to minimize the risk of triggering an avalanche. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of avalanches and the importance of following safety recommendations when engaging in winter recreational activities in avalanche-prone areas.
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