Kailey Mucha, left, and April Kaufman search for a beacon in the snow outside of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center during an avalanche training class on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mucha said she was interested in the course after spending some time snowmachining. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kailey Mucha, left, and April Kaufman search for a beacon in the snow outside of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center during an avalanche training class on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mucha said she was interested in the course after spending some time snowmachining. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Avalanche course treks on despite warm weather

Despite unusually warm weather, Avalanche Observer Alex Mclain wants the community to be prepared.

Mclain, who works with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, led an avalanche safety course at the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center this Saturday, demonstrating tips and techniques for anyone planning to adventure across the snow-covered mountains of Alaska.

“Whenever we go into avalanche training, it’s important to remember that there are still avalanches even if the weather isn’t there,” Mclain said. “I would recommend people be prepared as always.”

Alaska has been seeing some unusually warm weather, with temperatures in Anchorage reaching 44 degrees on Tuesday in comparison to the 37 degree average, according to the National Weather Service. The warmer weather has been thwarting winter plans for many.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“I’ve been getting into back country skiing and it’s important to be avalanche aware when you’re back there,” said April Kaufman, an attendee at Saturday’s class. “I haven’t been able to ski as much as I usually do (because of the weather) and I got a pair of snow shoes for Christmas, but I have to brainstorm places to use those.”

After the classroom portion of the session, Mclain brought the students outside to find avalanche beacons he had hidden around the perimeter of the visitor’s center. An avalanche beacon, or tranceiver, is a device that emits a pulsed radio signal that can be picked up by other beacons even through piled snow. Using either Mclain’s beacons or their own, students followed the signs of the avalanche (Mclain’s footprints in this case) and the beeps of their beacons to find the hidden probes underneath a small smattering of snow.

Mclain also recommends that adventurers bring a snow shovel, perfect for testing snow conditions or digging a victim out from the snow, and a probe, which is a collapsible aluminum pole that can be use to find a victim or pinpoint a beaocn.

“From years past, I’ve had experience with a ton of snow,” said Kailey Mucha, who was attending the avalanche safety course because of a new found interest in snowmaching and her past experiences skiing. “When there’s not a lot of snow, to the point where I don’t get to use my nice skis and it’s just not as fun. It’s not very pretty outside and I have to watch for rocks when skiing. I just really wish there was snow. I’m just hoping for it.”

In a worst case scenario, snow wise, Mucha will be prepared, after having received the proper safety equipment for Christmas, including an avalanche beacon.

“I’m getting into snow machining and, when I was talking to my friends about the winter, I realized I needed to be more prepared,” Mucha said. “I have a sled and being aware of the dangers and everything that can come up when you’re snowmaching is important… Today, I definitely learned that it’s important to have fun, but to still be safe and be thinking about safety before you go out.”

According to the Avalanche Information Center, the avalanche danger in Turnagain Pass is considerable above 2000 feet.

“Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Sticking to low consequence terrain less than 30 degrees is recommended,” the center said in a statement. “…The Chugach National Forest wants to remind riders to avoid areas with thin snow cover like “Rookie Hill” and the Southern end of Turnagain Pass towards Bertha Creek. Johnson Pass remains closed due to lack of snow.”

For more information on avalanche safety, visit www.cnfaic.org.

Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com

Kailey Mucha, left, and April Kaufman search for a beacon in the snow outside of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge during an avalanche training class on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kailey Mucha, left, and April Kaufman search for a beacon in the snow outside of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge during an avalanche training class on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Alex Mclain, an avalanche observer with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, hides probes throughout the permiter of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center during an avalanche training class on Saturday. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Alex Mclain, an avalanche observer with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, hides probes throughout the permiter of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center during an avalanche training class on Saturday. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney speaks during a meeting of the UA Board of Regents at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pitney: UA, KPC seeing momentum, attendance growth

The university president described KPC as “a leader of the pack” in enrollment growth at the university

University of Alaska Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins speaks during a meeting at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Where does this end?’: University of Alaska to strip diversity and inclusivity language from programs, policies

The board was clear during the meeting that they were responding to pressure from the federal government.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich holds a telephone town hall on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (Screenshot from the Facebook page of U.S. Rep. Nick Begich)
Murkowski, Begich host telephone town halls to address constituent concerns

Both events were inaccessible to some, who grew frustrated at technical problems

Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Education funding bill unexpectedly advances again, nears House floor vote amid affordability concerns

HB 69 clears Finance Committee at first hearing as minority says discussions there are not worthwhile.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai accepts federal grant for police vests

The funds entirely cover the purchase of three ballistic vests this fiscal year.

Soldotna High School student Ethan Anding asks a question during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
District discusses $17M deficit at community meeting

More than 100 people gathered in the KCHS auditorium.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Man found dead near Kasilof roadway on Tuesday

He was found off Pollard Loop Road near Reindeer Lane in the Kasilof area.

Fire Marshal Jeremy Hamilton gives a tour to students during Job Shadow Day at Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Roddy Craig/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai students try on careers for Job Shadow Day

Roughly 100 students from Kenai Central High School scattered to more than 30 businesses to get a feel for the workforce.

A 2015 Ford Explorer that was stolen from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce before crashing into a tree near Wells Fargo Bank is loaded onto a tow truck in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Car stolen, crashed in Kenai

The car was reportedly taken from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Most Read