Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Steady winds from the north have blown most of the recent snow into hard slabs in unusual locations (reverse loading). Pay close attention to the texture of the snow surface under your feet. Mt. Stephen ice climbs remain somewhat suspect.
Weather Forecast
Clear and cold for the next few days, with gradual warming starting for the weekend. Wednesday's temperatures will range from -16 to -25, with light winds out of the north (moderate winds up high). With the wind, the temperatures are brutal right now so be sure to bring tonnes of extra warm clothing and take care to not let yourself get too cold.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of low density snow has been blown into hard wind slabs from north winds, so expect locally deep pockets of dense wind drifts in unusual areas (reverse loading). These slabs overlie a faceted snowpack with the main problem being the Dec 19 interface of facets, now buried down about 50-70 cm.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanche activity reported or observed in Little Yoho today, but we have minimal observations from this area - so low confidence.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds from the north have created hard wind slabs in many areas, and these are reverse from normal locations. These slabs are hard to trigger, with a single person, but if they go it will be a dense piece of snow to ride.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Facets buried on Dec 19 are down 50-70 cm in some locations. This is a concern wherever a more cohesive slab of snow sits on top of this weakness. Tree line or wind loaded areas seem to be the primary concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3