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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 16th, 2014–Dec 17th, 2014
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

It is important to find and monitor the deep layers as you move through the terrain. Deep snowpacks will decrease the chance of triggering an avalanche.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow's forecast is very similar to today's. Alpine highs will reach -6, winds will be light from the SW and there will be no snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new slab avalanches today, however we did witness a small cornice collapse that triggered a small loose dry sluff.

Snowpack Summary

Today's travels had a slightly different snow structure than yesterday's. A more sheltered alpine (Mt Murray moraines, 2100m) area had a well settled snowpack that is 150cm deep.  The Nov 6th crust/depthhoar/facet layer is down 135cm's, and very weak. The midpack is currently bridging this weak layer giving a solid feel to the snowpack.  The midpack is made up of a thick, and moderately dense(1finger-pencil) windslab. Shallow areas are weaker and more susceptible to triggering.  Below treeline the Dec 13th crust is annoyingly persistent. It is breakable and very challenging to ski. It does improve with elevation, eventually it disappears at 2150m.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

We are relying on the dense midpack to shield us from a failure of the Nov 6th. In shallow areas, the likelihood of triggering the deep layer rises dramatically. Probe to confirm snow depths as you approach bigger terrain.
Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4