Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Haines Pass, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
If you see greater than 20 cm of new snow, treat the danger as CONSIDERABLE.
Avoid wind loaded areas and only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, there were several rider triggered wind slabs from smaller wind loaded features. Mostly small (size 1) with a few large ones (size 2). Early reports indicate small wind slabs continue to occur on Monday.
On Friday, a rider triggered a large (size 2) wind slab on a north facing gully, also, a large glide slab avalanche released naturally.
Snowpack Summary
Around 10 cm of new snow redistributed by southerly wind lies over a crust that goes up to 1250 m in the shade and to mountain top on slopes that get the sun. Good riding can still be found in sheltered slopes away from the sun.
The mid-pack is generally well settled, with crusts buried around 50 cm, and another near 130 cm deep.
The lower snowpack is facetted but hasn't been a problem.
Below 1100 m the snowpack is wet and losing strength.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Riders may trigger slabs in wind loaded areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5