The rating is low in the alpine, because the wind slab problem is specific and isolated to the steep couloirs of Mount Albert.
The issue is that these are the very places where skiing is currently possible. So don't let the low index fool you, and stay vigilant.
We're still in early-season conditions, and even a small avalanche could have serious consequences.
Examine your route carefully for wind slab hazards before venturing out.
The light snow of the last few days were deposited by winds in the start zones, concavities and terrain depressions of the Mount Albert alpine. Although isolated and small in size, these avalanches could take you to the many obstacles still uncovered at the start of the season. On Thursday, the surface slabs were still reactive to testing.
Two 1.5 slab avalanche deposits were observed at the foot of the Benny couloir, as well as at the foot of Rolling Stone, in the Patrouilleurs wall on Mont Albert.
Early season, observations are limited. Thanks for sharing your observation through the Mountain Information Network if you head out.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported. Please share your observations at [email protected] or via the Mountain Information Network.
In general, the snowpack remains thin, varying from 30 to 70 cm at mid-mountain. 10 to 25 cm of light snow covers the crust November 28th crust. The crust is present on all aspects and elevations, but becomes increasingly brittle as it rises in altitude.
In the Mount Albert alpine, with its large fetch zone on the summit plateau, areas of maximum loading, depressions and concavities show a thicker, more variable and more complex snowpack.
The summits are bare and exposed to rock or crust.
Synopsis: Fine weather on Friday and Saturday before the passage of a warm, rainy low-pressure system on Sunday and Monday.
Thursday evening and night: Partly cloudy, light snow. Wind northwest 30-60 km/h. Minimum -13C.
Friday: Clearing in the morning. Wind northwest 30 to 60 km/h. High -11C.
Saturday: Sunny. Wind veering southwest 10 to 30 km/h. Maximum -2. Freezing level rising to 500m.
Sunday: Mixed precipitation. Strong south-westerly wind. Maximum 2. Freezing level at 2000m.
