Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Ice climbers should be very cautious in steep gullies. Recent strong wind has loaded start zones and have formed touchy wind-slabs.
Weather Forecast
Strong wind from the West accompanied by a small amount of new snow (<10cm) through Monday midday. A cooling trend with clear skies will migrate into the forecast region Tuesday and beyond.
Snowpack Summary
In many areas, a generally weak snowpack exists until 2000-2200m . At 2000m, there is generally 135cm of snow, with the Jan 17 surface hoar layer down 25cm producing sudden planar test results - but minimal slab formation above. In the mid-pack, the Dec facets are 20cm thick, and near the ground some weak facets sit just below on an old ice crust.
Avalanche Summary
A 300m fracture line was seen Friday on Cathedral Peak which was 50cm deep on a N-NE aspect at treeline/low alpine. Wind loading from yesterday was the suspected culprit. East of the divide new reactive wind slabs were reported in the alpine, and this is likely in Little Yoho as well. Also see avalanche activity in BYK region for a notable event.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
The generally weak, facetted mid pack is producing moderate to hard shears. In the upper snowpack around treeline a buried layer of surface hoar produces variable shears. Pay close attention to the slab properties overlying these layers.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Wind Slabs
New touchy slabs will be reactive in the short term while wind speeds remain elevated. Watch locally for their formation in exposed lee and cross-loaded areas.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2