As people start to venture further keep in mind that the snowpack is still young. Crevasses on glaciers are open or thinly bridged; rope up!
Weather Forecast
Today will be chilly, with alpine temps of -18 to -12. Moderate to strong winds at ridgetop should shift to the NW today and be reverse loading slopes. We may see a few flurries overnight and then clearing Friday and into the weekend. Fri and Sat should have alpine temps of -10 to 0, with freezing levels rising to 1500m on Sat.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is adjusting to the load it received earlier this week. There are several reactive storm snow instabilities, and the Nov 12 surface hoar layer, sitting ~40cm above ground, has been found in most drainages in the park. On N aspects at higher elevations, the base is likely weak where the preserved October snow facetted.
Avalanche Summary
The cold snap slowed avalanche activity. Yesterday around noon, a large natural avalanche occurred from the east facing slope below the Dome Col. It propagated the width of the slope, 100-150m wide and failed at the base of the snowpack. During the storm, widespread size 2-3.5 avalanches occurred, running well into the alder and avalanche fans.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.