The weak base of our snowpack will persist even when the signs indicate an improving trend. Maintain your discipline to not push into bigger terrain. Human triggered avalanches are possible with large avalanches in isolated areas.
North winds at ridge top created wind slabs on Southerly slopes which don't typically see wind loading. The wind slabs from previous moderate to strong SW winds are also still present.
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.
Sunday's Icefield patrol had excellent visibility. Some Windslabs and Deep Persistent Slabs were noted in the alpine but estimated to be 24 to 48 hours old. No field patrol occurred on Saturday. A large avalanche was observed on Thursday in the Icefields starting in the Alpine, running on deep facets, and travelled far into treeline.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
10 to 20cm of soft settled new snow from Jan 27th overlies a melt-freeze crust up to 2000m. Windslabs are present in the alpine and exposed treeline locations. Generally, the bottom of the snowpack is weak with facets and depth hoar. The snowpack ranges from 50 to 120cm.
Monday to Wednesday will be in the -10 to -15 Celsius range, sun, clouds, flurries, and light Westerly winds.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
