Human triggered avalanches are possible where the upper snowpack feels "stiff and slabby"Continuously assess conditions as you move through the terrain
Human triggered avalanches are possible where a slab has formed above a weak layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust buried at the end of January about 40 to 60 cm deep.
Several dry loose avalanches were seen from steep south facing terrain. Rider triggering remains possible where a stiffer slab exists above the late January buried weak layers.
If you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN post!
50 cm of faceted snow overlies a weak layer from late January. This layer consists of a crust on sun exposed slopes and a layer of surface hoar on all other aspects. Exposed terrain in the alpine and treeline is variably wind-affected creating a stiffer slab above the weak layer. In turn, the stiffer slab may be easier to trigger under the weight of a human. In sheltered terrain, a layer of surface hoar may be found just below the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.
Check out this MIN report posted today. Big thanks to everyone reporting to the MIN!
Wednesday Night
Clear periods. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with new snow up to 5 cm. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
