Glacier

Investigate the snowpack and its layering before venturing into bigger terrain. Weak layers in the mid-pack are shallow enough to be triggered, and deep enough for those avalanches to be dangerous.

One MIN report of 'whumpfing' and remote triggering several avalanches up to size 1.5, ~50cm deep, on moraine features below Glacier Crest. A Parks Canada field team experienced widespread 'whumpfing' at treeline and below in the Fidelity area.

A natural avalanche cycle occurred early Sunday morning with numerous avalanches in the size 1.5-2.5 range and a few up to size 3.0.

Previous strong SW winds have built wind slabs in Alpine lee features. The Nov 17 persistent slab (surface hoar 5-30mm, facets, and crust) is down 60-80cm and largest at treeline and below.

The early season hazards are slowly being buried but remain a concern. The height of snow at treeline is ~140cm.

A brief storm moves through the area Wed, followed by a return to cold, calm conditions.

Expect 5-10cm of snow Wed, an Alpine high of -11*C, and gusty, moderate SW ridge-top winds.

Thurs/Fri will see a return to -20*C temps, calm winds, and clearing skies.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.