Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 15th, 2014 7:08AM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Not much new snow out there, but wind slabs are present in Alpine areas. Small avalanches are possible in isolated terrain features. Be wary of the consequences of even a small avalanche and choose terrain accordingly.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

There is no precipitation in the forecast for the next several days. Alpine temperatures should be near -10 degrees on Sunday and will slowly moderate over the next few days. Winds on Sunday will be moderate to strong from the North.

Avalanche Summary

A size 1.5 slab avalanche occurred at the ice climbs "The Lone Ranger" and "The Chalice and the Blade". A sluff initiated above the climbs, flowed over the climbs and then triggered a wind slab up to 40cm deep. The debris ran into the gully, and surprised an ice climber who was walking up to the base of the route. The flow ran up to the knees of the climber but he was not buried.

Snowpack Summary

Wind effect in the Alpine. The November rain crust is buried 15cm on average at Treeline and will be deeper in wind loaded features and in the Alpine. An October rain crust is evident at the base of the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Pockets of wind slab are found in wind prone areas such as lee and cross-loaded gullies. A close call occurred today for an ice climbing party in Ranger Creek where a small sluff then triggered a slab at the base of the route surprising the group.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Watch for sluffing in steep Alpine terrain.

Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 16th, 2014 2:00PM