A small injury can become a big problem with these frigid temperatures.
Be prepared with extra layers and calories in your pack!
A fresh windslab formed yesterday in the alpine due to moderate southerly winds. Use caution in wind affected terrain and be aware that a surface slab could step down to the Jan 30th persistent weak layer.
20-40cms of snow overlays a buried weak layer. This weak layer is consists of surface hoar, facets and/ or a suncrust. It will be most reactive where there is a settled, cohesive slab over top.
Natural avalanche activity has eased, however human triggering remains possible.
Neighboring operations are reporting rider & remote triggered avalanches on the Jan 30th layer.
Moderate southerly winds yesterday refreshed the windslab in the alpine. Variable winds this past week had caused widespread wind effect, which is starting to facet out (become soft and sugary)
A weak layer of surface hoar, facets and/or suncrust (Jan 30th drought layer) is 30-50cm down from the snow surface.
The Jan 7th layer is down 50-80cm, and is comprised of surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects.
The basal snowpack is dense and strong.
The arctic ridge is firmly planted. Mainly sunny skies and cold temperatures are forecast into the foreseeable future.
Tonight Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine low -22°C. Ridge wind NE 15-25km/hr.
Mon Sunny. Alpine high -18°C. Light N winds.
Tues Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -17°C. NW wind 10-20km/h.
Wed Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -17°C. Wind NW 10-20km/hr.
