Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 10th, 2021 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Chris Gooliaff,
Throw some extra warm clothes into your pack and bring a hot drink, or two, with you this week. If you run into trouble in minus 20's, you will be SOOOO happy to have this extra warmth!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Continuing cold with no snow.
Today: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -22*C, light winds
Thurs: Sunny with cloudy periods, Alp high -25*C, light NE winds
Fri: Sunny with cloudy periods, Alp high -19*C, light NE winds
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow from last week was redistributed by strong S'ly, then NW'ly, winds. These wind slabs are beginning to facet and weaken, but are still popping out on unsupported features at higher elevations. Loose, dry sluffs are traveling fast and far in steep alpine gullies. Cornices are rotting at their bases due to the cold temps and may be fragile.
Avalanche Summary
A skier-triggered sz 2 windslab on Bagheera was reported yesterday.
Several MIN reports from Monday highlighted skier-triggered sz 1.5 slabs from steep, unsupported alpine features (Christmas Couloir, Nikki's Notch, Avalanche Crest).
Loose, dry sluffs to sz 1 were observed in several N-facing Macdonald gullies yesterday.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Pockets of soft slab exist in the alpine and immediate tree-line lee features. They have been stubborn to move, but demand respect in steeper, more committing start zones. Winds from the NE may be creating thin slabs on W and S'ly aspects.
- Be careful with reverse loaded pockets of wind slab at ridgeline.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Cold temps are faceting the surface snow, allowing it to flow like sugar down steep slopes. It won't be sweet to be hit by a sluff while you're in a tight gully, so keep your head up and watch for any activity that could knock you off your feet.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain..
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 11th, 2021 8:00AM
