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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 29th, 2023–Dec 30th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Pro: The weather is friendly and forgiving with warm temperatures and little wind.

Con: The travel is rough going pretty much anywhere.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed in the last couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

Today's adventure took us up to 2300m in the Dog Leg area. Lots of wind effect in the alpine. It looks like nothing has been spared from the winds of the last week. It felt as though the Dec 6th crust was up to 2300m, but to be honest, given the travel conditions, it was hard to not be on a bulletproof windslab. At treeline, we did notice a series of windslabs that have built up over top of the crust. These were mostly in immediate lee areas, and mildly concerning given what's underneath. It seems the crust is breaking down quickly given the shallow snowpack. Up to about 2000m we were breaking through in open areas. Between 2000m and 2300m it was supportive, but much thinner than last week.

Weather Summary

Not much changing in our weather pattern these days. Tomorrow will be a carbon copy of today. Morning low of -5, high of -2. Light winds from the SW and no snow.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Just as you transition from treeline into the alpine watch for wind slabs. Lee and cross-loaded features are the main areas of concern.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem will be with us all season. At higher elevations there is more concern that these deep persistent weak layers could be human triggerable.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3