Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Ghost.
Incoming snow will increase the hazard on routes that are not commonly thought of as being in avalanche terrain. Not a lot of recent field information from the Ghost area so if you are headed out, please share your observations on the MIN.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new or recent observations. No reported events into the Kananaskis Region office.
Snowpack Summary
Highly variable snowpack depths in the region. A thick crust can be found in the upper snowpack that developed in late march. Recent snow over the past week has buried this crust down 30-60cm. Storm slabs and windslabs can be found in the upper snowpack that will be reactive to traffic from ice climbers. Cornices over popular routes such as the Sorcerer have also been reported as large. With the upslope storm forecast to hit the region over the next few days, watch for loose dry avalanches out of steeper terrain and buried wind/storm slabs.
Even a small avalanche can have large consequences in steep or gullied terrain so use be thinking about that as you travel. Routes that commonly don't have avalanche hazard will be affected by this incoming storm.
Weather Summary
10-30cm of snow is forecast for the region over the next few days with light northerly winds and a freezing level around 1600m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
Loose dry from steep terrain within the recent snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
Watch for the new snow settling into a storm slab. If winds increase into the moderate range, windslabs will also develop quickly.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2