An Alaskan teenager has tragically lost his life after setting off an avalanche, marking the fourth fatality due to snow slides in the state this month. The Alaska State Troopers reported that 16-year-old Tucker Challan from Soldotna was found deceased by the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group following the avalanche incident on Sunday.
This incident occurred as a group of snowmachiners explored the backside of Seattle Ridge in Turnagain Pass, which lies approximately 60 miles southeast of Anchorage and is noted for its winter recreation opportunities. According to troopers, witnesses observed that a young male triggered the avalanche, which ultimately led to his death after he became buried.
The avalanche buried Challan under approximately 10 feet of snow in a slide that spanned about 500 feet wide. Wendy Wagner, who serves as the director of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, elaborated on the conditions, mentioning a weak snow layer covered by newer snow.
Challan reportedly traversed over this fragile layer of snow mid-slope. At the time of the slide, the avalanche center was engaged in an avalanche awareness event in a nearby parking lot on Seattle Ridge’s opposite side. Wagner elaborated that these types of avalanches are particularly dangerous, as they can be triggered from various points on a slope—whether from its base, sides, or top—due to the fragile layer that can act like dominoes when disturbed.
The delicate layer can be compromised on a level surface without causing an avalanche due to the absence of a slope for snow to descend. Wagner emphasized the importance of avoiding steep slopes during such risky conditions to preempt any possible avalanche triggers. Unfortunately, Challan found himself in a hazardous position along the slope’s edge, ultimately leading to his entrapment by the avalanche.
For weeks, the avalanche center had been cautioning outdoor enthusiasts regarding this weak snow layer, a warning that followed a similar incident on March 4 when three heli-skiers perished in an avalanche near Girdwood, about 40 miles south of Anchorage.
Despite continuous alerts, conditions remain deemed unsafe, particularly on steeper slopes. “We continue to advise sticking to lower angle slopes, as this threat is not one to be taken lightly,” Wagner advised on Monday.