Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 7th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Wind slabs are not widespread, but ice climbers should expect to find them in alpine gullies and steep, unsupported ridge top features. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Continued valley bottom freezing levels with only trace amounts of new snow for Friday through to the weekend. Gusty moderate Westerly alpine winds Friday will decrease on the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Snow depths are variable across the terrain, and many areas at treeline and below are still below threshold for avalanches. In the alpine, a basal facet layer or melt/freeze crust from late Oct. can be found. Above, wind slabs 30-60cm thick, varying from soft to hard can are in isolated terrain features such as gullies and immediate lee terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine Village produced 2 size 1.5 avalanches in the alpine on N aspects with ski cutting. These were 40-60cm deep and ran on the Oct. melt/freeze crust.Â While small, one of the slides ran for 300m which would be a big concern on an ice climb. Lake Louise ski hill saw similar conditions.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable wind slabs can be found in specific terrain features, especially in and around gullies.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 8th, 2013 4:00PM