You Should Avoid These 7 Most Dangerous Spots in Alaska Nature
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Casea Peterson
Author
If you’re an Alaskan that loves to explore and walk on the wild side then please, be my guest, but keep in mind that these 7 deadly acts of nature are common in your state! From landslides to angry seas, mother nature can claim your life in an instant, so the best thing you can do for yourself is be aware and always be prepared.
Review these 7 dangerous places and natural forces of mother nature around Alaska and see if you’re prepared to handle them all! Even better, let us know if you’ve experienced them before and lived to tell the tale!
The mud flats, especially on the Cook Inlet outside of Anchorage, are notorious for grabbing unsuspecting visitors and holding them in their sticky grip until the tide rises and washes them away. Please don't let this be you, stay off the flats!
Even warnings don't keep some people from getting stuck in the flats with a rising tide!
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An avalanche can happen just about anywhere in Alaska during the winter. The key is not to avoid any area in particular but to avoid sloped mountain sides that the snow can no longer stick to. The greatest risk is right after a big snow fall or when high winds cause snow to drift across slopes overloading them with snow.
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Avalanches can travel farther than you think so keep a good distance from notorious avalanche areas to avoid being buried alive!
Global warming or not, glaciers are HUGE slabs of ice that tend to break off in the warmer months. Whether you're on a sea kayak or touring the top, always be carful of crumbling or weakening glaciers. They could be the death of you!
A huge attraction of Alaska is the fishing and fishing vessels. You can be deep sea fishing, crabbing, you name it, and the weather can turn bad. In those instances mother nature is not always very forgiving. The best way to play is safe is to make sure you only go out to sea with experienced and professional captains... even if there isn't a cloud in the sky.
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The highest density of brown bear and grizzly bear in Alaska is at McNeil River Falls. Many areas of Alaska have large populations of grizzly bears so the best way to avoid an attack is to always be prepared and alert, even somewhere as highly trafficked as the Eagle River Nature Center just outside of Anchorage.
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It is best to remain near town or a place you can take shelter if a blizzard warning is in effect. They can happen quite often and out of nowhere so it's best to avoid backpacking or hiking when shady weather is afoot!
So here's the deal... landslides, like avalanches and blizzards, can happen just about anywhere the land is steep and unstable in the state of Alaska. In fact, Alaska is one of the states more prone to landslides so they are more common here than you think. The most common and deadly type of landslide is a flash mudslide. The best way to avoid these pesky acts of nature is to avoid steep terrain after very heavy rainfall. If your house is located on a steep hill and you get a LOT of rain, well... I'm sorry.
Bet you didn't know that Alaska is highly prone to wildfires! Okay, maybe you know, but I'm sure I surprised someone out there. Just this past summer alone more than 5 million acres of Alaskan forest have been consumed by wildfires. Wildfires occur in the summer months, mostly in the central Alaska region. So if you're out on an expedition or adventure be sure to keep your eyes on the sky for any signs of smoke! Also, please FULLY put out your campfires!
Which of these is most terrifying to you? What other natural places and phenomena in Alaska would you add to this list?
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