Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 1st, 2012–Mar 2nd, 2012

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Kananaskis.

Tricky conditions remain. Buried surface hoar is still reactive. Snowboarders triggered a size 3.0 avalanche today on Tent Ridge. The initial wind slab was 25cm deep, but the slide stepped down to the ground. Luckily everyone is OK.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Light flurries with strong NW winds and cool temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Tent Bowl size 2.5 Na last 24 to 48hrs. Sa size 3.0 today in adjacent gully to Tent Bowl, E asp, 2500m. Snowboarder entered slope from top and immediately triggered a 25cm deep slab that flowed 1/3 path and then stepped down to basal FC/DH. No involvement. One size 2.0 on Hero's Knob, Na, 2300m, ran full path, suspect 120213 SH.

Snowpack Summary

Trace amount Hn overnight. SSL in ALP. 120213 SH still reactive to stability tests now down 30 to 70cm.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Valentine's surface hoar and sun crust continue to be problems with extensive avalanche activity in the past week. The surface hoar is particularly touchy and is buried 30 to 70cm. Remote triggering, cracking and whumpfing are occurring.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 6

Wind Slabs

Widespread wind slabs in the alpine on lee and cross loaded features. It is likely that a failure in these wind slabs will step down and trigger the buried surface hoar. A party triggered a slide on this layer today which stepped down to ground.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 6

Deep Persistent Slabs

Weak facets and depth hoar linger at the base of the snowpack. Thin steep areas are the most likely trigger points. Snowboarders triggered a size 3.0 slide on this layer when the initial wind slab stepped down to ground.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 3 - 6

Cornices

Cornices have grown significantly in the alpine. Failures continue to occur and have triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 on the underlying slopes. Give cornices a wide berth and stay well back from corniced ridgcrests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 6