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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 14th, 2016–Mar 15th, 2016
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

We're doing avalanche control on Tuesday on Mt. Bosworth, Mt. Field, Mt. Dennis and Mt. Whymper. Please no access to these areas.

Weather Forecast

A similar weather pattern for the next few days - on Tuesday expect overcast skies with light snow through the day, probably  not accumulating more than 3-5cm. Temperatures will remain cool from -2 to -10 and relatively light winds.  Excellent weather for quality tree skiing!

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of snow sits above crusts to 1800m and all solar slopes. Recent S-SW winds with strong gusts have formed slabs in lee areas that bond poorly to these crusts. Across the region the snowpack is highly variable, but in most areas the snowpack is just over 150cm deep and generally weak facets near the basal layers.

Avalanche Summary

Close call today. In the Simpson area (deeper snowpack) we were on a ridge crest and triggered a large cornice. This cornice dropped onto the slope below and triggered a 400m wide size 3 avalanche that ran for approximately 900m. The slab failed on a buried suncrust, and ranged from 50-100cm deep. Watch out for buried crusts with accumulated load!

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The mid-pack facets remain weak, especially in thin or rocky areas. Avoid steep or unsupported terrain, and watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing and cracking.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Now that the sun is higher in the sky, buried suncrust becomes more of a problem. Presently there are several crusts buried on S and W aspects, all with 50-100 cm overlying them. Dig, look and test these layers before committing to any solar slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Over the past seven days we're received 45 cm of light snow, so it won't take much wind to create small pockets of drifted windslabs in areas on the leeward side of ridge crests at higher elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2