Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
As expected, today's field trip offered no change in our confidence. Keep those tails tucked and avoid exposure to bigger terrain. Its an odd year and it will require patience to wait until it improves.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today.
Snowpack Summary
For such a shallow snowpack, we sure do have a lot to say about it! Right now we basically have 3 layers of concern. The upper half ranges from low density snow below treeline to reasonably stiff windslabs at treeline and above. The trouble starts with a thin layer that sits almost exactly at the mid pack line. It seems to be a different layer type from area to area, but it is consistently bad. Whether it's surface hoar or facets doesn't really matter. Regardless of the grain, its a touchy layer that is reliably failing with little to no load. Not great news right now. The bottom half of the snowpack is a thick layer of facets which also spells trouble. Lots of whumphing and cracking during our travels today.
Weather Summary
Overnight low of -20 with a day time high of -8. Clear skies for most of the day, with no snow expected. Ridge winds will be light to moderate out of the north.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Where the surface snow is dense enough to form a slab, the Nov 25 and 16 layer are reactive to skier traffic. Remote triggering is possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Small alpine slabs will likely trigger slabs at treeline. There is potential for full depth avalanches right now.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2