Heads-up! Rogers Pass had it's first major storm this past weekend and a large avalanche near Bruins Pass caught a few riders. Avalanche season is here, so slow down and carefully evaluate the terrain before jumping into it!
Weather Forecast
Monday and Tuesday should bring clear and relatively calm weather, with a storm developing Tuesday night. Freezing levels will remain below 1300m.
Snowpack Summary
A strong weekend storm has nearly doubled the snowpack depths at most elevations. The shallow snowpack is adjusting to this heavy, warm load and needs time to settle. Moderate to strong SW winds have created wind slabs in lee areas. Many rocks, stumps, and trees are still poking through the surface, so early season hazards still prevail.
Avalanche Summary
A human-triggered size 3 avalanche along Bruins Ridge caught two people, both of whom were lucky to escape with bumps and bruises. Dimensions of this slide were 50-100cm deep, 500m wide, and 700-900m in length. The slide covered the Video Pk uptrack. Partial burial of those involved. Several smaller size 1-2 slides reported near Balu Pass.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.