Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2014 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The treeline avalanche hazard has risen. The variability and complexity within the upper snowpack makes terrain usage and snowpack observations critical. Be curious while you are traveling, don't hesitate to dig and inspect the snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Continued NW flow with valley bottom winds light, out of the west. Temperatures will be similar to today, -15 in the morning, rising to -8 in the afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

A localized natural cycle was noted on Hero's knob itself. East to South aspects had a number of slabs release. All activity was thought to be sliding on the crust. Sz 2 was the average size.

Snowpack Summary

The Hero's knob area was explored today. Below treeline, the snow pack was generally predictable and in tune with what we've been seeing for the last while: a distinct crust buried with 10cm's of new snow and a solid midpack. Treeline, was a different story all together. The snowpack was a mix of different crusts, windslabs, facets and depth hoar. The general feel was that the snowpack was variable in terms of strength and we had a hard time trusting it. The Dec13th crust was down 30cm's, and reactive(see avalanche observations). Compression tests ranged from easy to moderate with sudden plainer failures. The deeper layers were still reacting the tests, but not until the "hard" range. Snow depths at 2200m were 90-110cm's.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Avalanches observed on this layer have shown that it has become more widespread. Exercise caution as you transition into the lower reaches of alpine terrain.

Avoid unsupported slopes.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Avalanches with this layer are low probability, but high consequence events. Thin areas and transitional terrain are likely trigger zones.

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2014 2:00PM