Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 27th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Chris Gooliaff,
Cold, short days and very slow, cold snow characterize conditions at the Pass this week. Hypothermia is a real beast at the moment, not to be flirted with!
Throw on some warm layers, a headlamp in your pack, and some cold wax on your skis.
Summary
Weather Forecast
No need to mince the forecast, it will be cold.
Tonight: Clear. -25*C, light W winds
Tues: Mix of sun/cloud, -24*C, light NW winds
Wed: Still cold, -24*C, light W winds
Thurs: Cloudy, -21*C, light W winds
Snowpack Summary
50cm of recent snow is settling out on top of previously faceted surfaces. Pockets of slab exist in loaded areas. The Dec 1 crust is buried approximately 70cm-120cm, with faceting of the snow directly above and below (especially in scoured, shallow areas). Beneath the Dec 1 crust, the snowpack is dense and strong.
Avalanche Summary
Minimal natural avalanche activity in the last 24hrs. One size 3.0 avalanche out of the MacDonald Gullies and several other size 1.5 avalanches through the highway corridor within the last 48 hrs.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
50cm of recent snow and moderate, variable ridge-top winds, have formed slabs along ridge tops, including reverse-loading on S and W aspects.
Recent valley bottom winds may have also built pockets of slab in open areas within the trees.
- Variable winds have created pockets of wind slab on all aspects.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by N-NE winds.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 28th, 2021 4:00PM
