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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 13th, 2023–Nov 17th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Glacier.

Helmets and old skis/boards are mandatory if you're visiting the Pass. With just over a metre of snow in the higher Alpine, expect to find many hard objects hidden in the snow, waiting to put in a dent in you and your plans.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Several natural and human-triggered avalanches have been observed in the Alpine and upper Treeline elevations. Notably on Nov 12, a sz 2.5 slab avalanche, ~1m deep, was triggered from 200m away while a group approached the final headwall to Video Peak. Extensive "whumphing" has also been reported, common when basal facets get overloaded and then collapse.

Snowpack Summary

Basal sugary facets have been found at Treeline/Alpine elevations. These facets offer little support in a young snowpack, often collapsing and producing loud "whumphing" sounds. Snow depth increases with elevation, but expect many rocks/trees lurking at and just below the snow surface.

Weather Summary

Detailed weather forecasts can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.