Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 23rd, 2013 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
garth lemke,
Parks Canada
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to big lines. Watch for unstable snow on isolated features.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Sunday will be flurries, seasonal temperatures, and potentially strong alpine SW winds with light to moderate speeds at lower elevations. Monday may bring up to 10cm of snow and diminished winds locally to the Icefields. Precipitation amounts are uncertain and low confidence for Monday. Tuesday will be sunny, cooler temperatures, and light winds.
Snowpack Summary
Variable windslabs exist at ridgetop and exposed alpine and treeline locations. A solid midpack bridges weak basal depth hoar. Un-supportive facets dominate lower elevations. Surface conditions range from dust on crust, to sustrugi, to hard slab, with the odd pocket of sheltered soft snow offering a few turns, ending with wallowing below treeline.
Avalanche Summary
No new activity was noted on Saturday's patrol. Its been a while since significant avalanche activity has been observed. Don't let your guard down as allot of variability exists across the landscape.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable on Sunday
Problems
Wind Slabs
February 16th 20cm of snow evolved into a variable thickness windslab. It sits on a variety of surfaces and aspects. Will be found wind-pressed and thinner on windward aspects and thicker and denser on lee aspects. Overall its firm and supportive.
Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 24th, 2013 4:00PM
