Continued human-triggering of avalanches, coupled with sporadic large natural avalanches neighbouring our region, is keeping our danger ratings elevated.
Have plans to ski conservative, well-supported slopes with limited overhead exposure. Now is not the time to challenge yourself on bold lines!
Variable winds, initially from the SW, then switching to the NE, and now back to the W, have created wind slabs in atypical lee features. These slabs have the potential to trigger the deeper Feb 3 layer.
This crust-facet combo(Feb 3rd) was created by an extended cold, clear period without snow earlier this month. 80-100cm now sits on the persistent weak layer which remains primed for human triggering (see FB video). If triggered resulting avalanches could be very large in size.
Today, a field crew remote-triggered a sz 1 on the Feb 3 crust while approaching a snow profile site.
A skier-triggered sz 2 slab popped mid-run on Avalanche Crest Sunday.
Last week, a group triggered a size 3 in the Camp West area, failing on the Feb 3rd persistent weak layer.
We continue to see daily reports in the region of human triggered avalanches on the Feb 3rd layer - some failing in small forest openings.
80-100cm of settled snow sits atop sugary facets. These facets are not bonding/sticking well to the widespread, very firm Feb 3 crust. This crust is a significant persistent weak layer and will be the main layer of concern for the foreseeable future.
To add to the concerning mix, variable winds over the last 3 days have created soft wind slabs at Tree-line and above on most aspects.
Convective flurries give way to a mix of sun and cloud this week. Temps stay cool and winds will drop off after Tues.
Tonight: Cloudy, isolated flurries, Alp low -18°C light W winds.
Tues: Sun/cloud, Alp high -14°C, light/mod West ridgetop winds.
Wed: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -14°C, light W winds.
Thurs: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -11°C, light W winds.
