Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Little change to the avalanche hazard is expected in the foreseeable future. The possibility of triggering a deep persistent slab remains our main concern, anywhere where the wind has left enough snow to avalanche.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported in the last few days.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds have stripped exposed terrain in the alpine and at tree-line. Continued wind slab development in leeward terrain. The snowpack is 45-80cm deep and is weak and facetted throughout. Basal weaknesses are a combo of large facets and chains of depth hoar.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous strong winds have stripped exposed alpine and tree-line terrain, creating wind slabs in cross-loaded and lee features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in some features, like approaching or moving between pitches on ice climbs. Be cautious in steep terrain if you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5