Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 12 – 13, 2015Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Very challenging skiing out there right now. Not very inspiring to ski the alpine at the moment. If you can find sheltered areas at treeline, the skiing is actually quite good.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    The alpine has been packed solid with windslabs. Very tricky skiing. Avoid steep, convex terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Watch open areas at treeline. Avoid steep, unsupported terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Forecasters found this layer intact today. It is still there, lurking beneath the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

The northwest flow is with us for at least another three days. As can be predicted with this flow, the skies will remain clear with light to moderate winds at all elevations. The temperatures will be reasonable with alpine temps hovering around -10. Expect shady, sheltered areas to be much colder as the air settles.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches

Confidence

Good

Snowpack Summary

Forecasters went to Little Tent Ridge today to have a look at W and NW aspects. At 2250m there was 100cm of snow. A 5cm thick reactive hardslab was down 20cms, followed by the fairly dense midpack. Beneath this, the old Nov24 facets were very weak. Surprisingly, the Nov6th crust was intact and still 4cm thick. It sat 15cm's above the ground and rested on a well settled layer of facets. No depth hoar. The stability tests gave two alarming results: a moderate, fast failure(CTM11, sudden plainer) below the upper windslab and a moderate sudden collapse(CTM14) on the Nov 24 facets, down 70cm. There was no sign of the Dec13th crust. Elsewhere the snowpack was very predictable and in tune with other locations. The Dec13th crust down 25cm's, and a midpack that continues to get weaker. The alpine has widespread wind slabs that make for tricky, and potentially dangerous conditions.

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