Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 10 – 11, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Intense winds have added another generation of wind slabs. This is a good time to avoid the alpine and open features at treeline. Good skiing can still be found in sheltered areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Wind slabs are everywhere in the Alpine and in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline. Human triggering is very likely.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Cornices are large and fragile. If triggered, a cornice failure may trigger a wind slab or a deep persistent slab on the slopes below.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4

    With the recent loading, this layer may become more active. Triggering is more likely is shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2.5 slab avalanche was observed around 11am on Mount Lawrence Grassi which might have reached the Highline trail. Several other slabs were observed on Mount Rundle, west of EEOR. No other slides were observed along the Spray road but visibility was limited.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Strong to extreme SW winds started on Tuesday and are expected to continue until Wednesday morning, only to diminish to 50km/hr from the West for the rest of Wednesday. Weather models are showing 10-15cm of snow by Wednesday morning with the rest of the day to be a mix of sun and cloud and a high of -9c.

Snowpack Summary

Wind, wind and wind slabs.  

The forecasters on Tuesday noted strong to extreme SW winds creating intense loading in the alpine and on lee and cross loaded features at treeline. 10-15cm wind slabs at treeline were cracking and breaking with skier traffic. These new wind slabs are growing and are sitting on previous wind slabs from the weekend. It will take several days for all this to sort it self out and settle. Cornices are growing once again.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.

Regions covered