Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 16th, 2015 8:32AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Great riding conditions can be found but large human triggered avalanches are still possible, especially at elevations just below the tree-line.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: no new snow is expected, mainly light to moderate south winds, remaining cool, -10 at 1500m. FRIDAY: Light snow fall, up to 10cm, southerly winds becoming westerly through the day, still cool. SATURDAY: no new snow is expected, southerly winds, cool.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity appears to have tapered off since the weekend. Avalanche professionals are reporting sluffing in steep terrain and in response to ski cutting.

Snowpack Summary

It sounds like good riding conditions out there. There is some localized wind effect in the new snow at ridgeline. Bellow treeline a layer of surface hoar can be found buried down 80 to 130cm. It is of greatest concern in open features such as cut blocks and old burns at elevations between 1400 and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are reported to be mainly well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Small isolated pockets of wind slab can be found in some ridge loaded lee features.

Start with simple terrain and take a curious/experimental approach to the snowpack. You may be able to step out into challenging and even complex terrain after learning more about the snowpack.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features at ridgeline and use ridges or ribs to sneak around these problem areas.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A layer of buried surface hoar can be found below tree-line between 1400m and 1800m. Test profiles indicate that this interface may still be sensitive to human triggering.

Avoid open slopes, convex rolls, burns, cutblocks and terrain traps when traveling below treeline. This is where buried surface hoar is best preserved and most volatile.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 17th, 2015 2:00PM