Lawinenlagebericht

Chic-Choc Mountains

Jan 20 – 21, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Lawinengefahr

Wed
Thu
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

The anticipated extreme cold will greatly slow the stabilization of the snowpack. Furthermore, it will significantly amplify the severity of any accident in the mountains.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible - Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    With the steady westerly wind and the continued presence of snow available for transport, wind slabs are still forming on the eastern slopes, while cross-loading the northern and southern slopes. These wind slabs, which are sometimes hard, are slightly more difficult to trigger, but they are conducive to propagation in the event of breakage. They rest on fragile layers that have already proved reactive in our tests.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

An avalanche estimated to be 1.5 to 2 in size has been reported on the Mountain Information Network. The avalanche occurred on the morning of January 20 at the top of the North Couloir on Mount Hog's Back. We have little information on this avalanche, but we suspect it was triggered by a skier. See details here: https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/8623ba3f-d760-11ef-8314-0a58a9feac02

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

At the treeline and in alpine areas, surface snow is strongly affected by wind, resulting in great variability in its distribution.

In wind-protected areas, the average depth of snow cover varies between 90 and 120 cm. Within this blanket, we find:

  • A thin layer of frost at a depth of around 20 cm.

  • A layer of facetted grains approximately 40 cm deep.

  • A melt-freeze crust at 60 cm.

These layers showed reactions in our tests, indicating that they could be triggered by a small surface avalanche. With colder temperatures forecast over the next few days, these layers could become even more brittle.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS

A few residual snow showers following the passage of the low-pressure system.

Monday evening and night: Light snow, 1-3 cm. Wind west, 40-60 km/h. Low -29.

Tuesday: Cloudy. Wind west, 30 to 50 km/h. High -25.

Wednesday: Sunny. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -23.

Thursday: Alternating sun and cloud. Wind southwest, 10 to 30 km/h. High -16.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.

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