Watch for active wind transport of snow. Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers.
Monitor changing conditions as you gain elevation and shift aspect.
Recent snow and southwest winds may have formed wind slabs. A persistent weak layer sits below, likely increasing reactivity.
Over the weekend, there were several large slab avalanches reported in the Duffey Lake area during the precipitation and warm temperatures.
Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering.
Roughly 20 cm of new snow above 1800 m has buried an older, wind-affected surface.
Beneath the most recent new snow is a crust with properties that are aspect and elevation dependent, and combined with facets at treeline and above, and surface hoar in sheltered areas.
The mid to lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. Snowpack depth ranges from 150 to 250 cm at treeline elevations.
Cornices are reported to be large and looming. Be mindful of them overhead and when travelling on ridge tops.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 mm of rain at treeline. 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
