Look for the best conditions at treeline and in sheltered areas, recent winds have formed windslabs in a wide range of areas due to changing wind directions.
Assess the deep persistent slab as you choose terrain, as it remains a low probability but high consequence problem in the snowpack.
Recent winds have built wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. Winds have been variable in direction so watch for reverse loading. Avalanches may step down to the Deep Persistent Layer.
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
No new avalanches observed on road patrol on January 23rd.
Avalanche control on Parker Ridge on Friday Jan 17th produced slab avalanches up to size 2.5. These avalanches stepped down to the Basal Deep Persistent Layer.
Widespread wind effect at alpine and treeline elevations. Wind slabs have formed over a very weak faceted mid pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are faceting and often surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at treeline. Below treeline travel is difficult in the faceted and thin snowpack.
SundayWidespread wind effect at alpine and treeline elevations. Wind slabs have formed over a very weak faceted mid pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are faceting and often surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at treeline. Below treeline travel is difficult in the faceted and thin snowpack.
Saturday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -5 °C. Ridge wind northwest: 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
SundaySunday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High 3 °C. Ridge wind northwest: 10 km/h. Freezing level: 2400 metres.
MondayMonday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low 0 °C, High 3 °C. Ridge wind northwest: 10-25 km/h. Freezing level: 2900 metres.
