Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 8 – 9, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Wind slabs are not widespread, but ice climbers should expect to find them in alpine gullies and steep, unsupported ridge top features. SH

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Variable wind slabs can be found in specific terrain features, especially in and around gullies.

Weather Forecast

Continued valley bottom freezing levels with only trace amounts of new snow for Friday through to the weekend. Gusty moderate Westerly alpine winds Friday will decrease on the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Snow depths are variable across the terrain, and many areas at treeline and below are still below threshold for avalanches. In the alpine, a basal facet layer or melt/freeze crust from late Oct. can be found. Above, wind slabs 30-60cm thick, varying from soft to hard can are in isolated terrain features such as gullies and immediate lee terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine Village produced 2 size 1.5 avalanches in the alpine on N aspects with ski cutting. These were 40-60cm deep and ran on the Oct. melt/freeze crust.  While small, one of the slides ran for 300m which would be a big concern on an ice climb. Lake Louise ski hill saw similar conditions.

Confidence

Regions covered