Ice climbers beware, Many avalanches, both loose dry and wind slabs were directly observed failing today on Mt Wilson. Even a small sluff can be bad news in a terrain trap.
Moderate NW winds have stripped previously loaded slopes and reverse loaded S-SE slopes in the Alpine and open Tree line. Caution as these freshly built wind slabs are reactive naturally in the alpine.
Numerous dry loose avalanches up to size 2 out of steep alpine terrain noted today on Mt.Wilson, Heads up climbers, There is a lot of overhead above you at the moment.
Be cautious of thick to thin snowpack areas being likely trigger locations. The wind slabs have the potential to step down to the weakness at the base of the snowpack.
A mix of sun and cloud for the next several days.
Winds will be generally light out of the West with cool nights -16 and seasonable temps -10 during the day.
No new snow expected.
The snowpack continues to settle rapidly. NW winds continue to strip recently loaded lee slopes and build wind slabs in S-SE features. Decomposing surface hoar down 30cm to 50cm in sheltered locations treeline and below. The midpack is generally supportive with a weaker base consisting of facets and depth hoar. Avg depth is 65cm - 160cm depending
A road patrol down to Saskatchewan crossing noted numerous wind slabs to size 2.5 out of West facing alpine features on Mt. Wilson along with several loose dry avalanches to Size 2 on west facing steep terrain. Back towards the Icefields, 3 Size 2 fresh wind slabs from reverse loading in the alpine were noted today.
