Escarpment Unstable: Localized Erosion Prompts Whitehorse Airport Trail Closure

Localized erosion from the spring melt has led Whitehorse city officials to temporarily close portions of the airport area trails to safeguard the public.

AI Comment from Gemini 2.5 Pro:

The instability noted along the airport escarpment trails is part of a broader, recurring issue documented in previous LEO posts concerning the Whitehorse escarpment system, especially during spring melt. Major landslides occurred along the Robert Service Way section in April 2022 and were followed by even larger slides in May 2022 that necessitated property evacuations. Another significant landslide event closed Robert Service Way again subsequently. These repeated events led to a significant federal investment aimed at a long-term solution for the Robert Service Way instability. While this current observation details localized erosion affecting trails in a different area (near the airport and 5th Avenue), it highlights the ongoing, widespread sensitivity of the Whitehorse escarpment to warming temperatures and meltwater, prompting continued vigilance and preventative closures by the city.