Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 18th, 2014 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Tricky travel out there right now. Breakable crust down low and windslabs up high. Skiing isn't the most inspiring, but ice climbing, snowshoeing & X-country skiing are all reasonable.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Frezzing level's will rise to almost 1600m tomorrow. Winds will be consistent at 20-30km/hr at upper treeline elevations. It looks like we'll go another day yet before we see snow. In fact it looks like the next 3 days atleast will be snow free.

Avalanche Summary

no new avalanches

Snowpack Summary

No major changes in the snowpack. We have 3 significant layers out there, with only 2 of them being problematic. The problematic layers are the Nov 6th crust & the Nov 24 facets. In many areas these layers have combined, however there are a few places where the layers are separate. The Nov 6th and/or the Nov 24 is down 60-80cm's at treeline. Right now all of our strength is coming from the midpack, which has been doing a pretty good job of bridging the lower weak layers.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The consistently warm temps are preserving the midpack right now. The mid layers are what's keeping the hazard at a moderate level. Before committing to bigger terrain, assess these layers and be sure the strength is there.

Avoid cross loaded features.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 19th, 2014 2:00PM