Investigate the snowpack and its layering before venturing into bigger terrain. Weak layers in the mid-pack are shallow enough to be triggered, and deep enough for those avalanches to be dangerous.
Strong SW winds have redistributed the recent 50cm of storm snow into wind slabs in the alpine and down into treeline.
The Nov 17 surface hoar, facets and crust is now buried by 50-80cm of snow and has been reactive on convex rolls and steep open slopes. Investigate smaller adjacent slopes before stepping out into bigger terrain.
One MIN report of 'whumpfing' and remote triggering several avalanches up to size 1.5, ~50cm deep, on moraine features below Glacier Crest. A Parks Canada field team experienced widespread 'whumpfing' at treeline and below in the Fidelity area.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred early Sunday morning with numerous avalanches in the size 1.5-2.5 range and a few up to size 3.0.
Previous strong SW winds have built wind slabs in Alpine lee features. The Nov 17 persistent slab (surface hoar 5-30mm, facets, and crust) is down 60-80cm and largest at treeline and below.
The early season hazards are slowly being buried but remain a concern. The height of snow at treeline is ~140cm.
A brief storm moves through the area Wed, followed by a return to cold, calm conditions.
Expect 5-10cm of snow Wed, an Alpine high of -11*C, and gusty, moderate SW ridge-top winds.
Thurs/Fri will see a return to -20*C temps, calm winds, and clearing skies.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
