Be aware of the potential for isolated pockets of soft wind slab in exposed alpine terrain features. Feel for changes and look for signs of instability in wind affected snow as you gain elevation.
Watch for wind loaded pockets in lee terrain features such as beneath ridge crests and roll-overs.
Cornices are large, looming and need to be given their space from above and below.
Wednesday night: Flurries bringing a trace of new snow. WInds easing to light. Alpine temperatures around -7. Freezing level valley bottom.
Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries. Light wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1700 m.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate westerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around -2. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday: Sunny. Light to moderate westerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around 0. Freezing level 2300 m.
Explosive control work on Monday and Tuesday produced mainly size 1 loose dry avalanches and a few thin size 1-1.5 storm slabs showing minimal cohesion and propagation.
A large (size 2) glide slab occurred overnight Friday on a lower elevation slope on Mt. Fernie. It may have been coaxed into action by overnight rainfall. This serves as a great reminder to avoid slopes with glide cracks on them at all times. They are inherently unstable and can release at any time.
20-40 cm of new snow has been accumulating incrementally over recent days. Depending on the time of day, moist snow or a crust can be found on solar aspects and below 1700 m. Isolated, soft wind slabs can be found in lee features of wind exposed alpine terrain. The snowpack is otherwise well settled and strong.
