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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 28th, 2023–Dec 29th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

Please don't get complacent on your search for fresh tracks. The persistent slab problem is worth considering when pushing into bigger objectives.

A record low snowpack makes for rugged travel below treeline.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A team triggered several explosive controlled avalanches in steep north facing terrain at treeline on Wed. Avalanches were small and triggered soft wind slabs up to 40cm deep.

No new natural avalanches have been observed since Dec 23rd.

A human-triggered avalanche occurred on Video peak Saturday afternoon involving a group of 3, no injuries reported.

Recently significant human-triggered avalanches failing on the Dec 1st surface hoar layer: Balu Pk & Ursus Minor.

Snowpack Summary

Expect wind slabs in the alpine and lee features at treeline from recent moderate winds.

Below 1800m 10-15cm of snow sits on breakable crust from recent warm temps.

Below 2100 m there is a supportive rain crust down 40-60cm.

The Dec 1 surface hoar is down 60-100cm. This layer is gaining strength, but this problem persists with accidental rider triggered avalanches still ocurring.

In shallow areas, the base of the snowpack is faceted and unsupportive.

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure continues to block any significant snowfall from reaching our region through Sunday. Freezing levels remain elevated.

Tonight: Cloudy. Alp Low -3 °C. Light S ridgetop winds.

Fri: Cloudy/sunny periods. High 0 °C. Freezing level (Fzl) 1500m. Light S wind.

Sat: Cloudy/sunny periods. High 2°C, High 0 °C. Fzl 2100m. Light S winds.

Sun: Flurries. Light snow, High 0°C. Fzl 1700m. Light W winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.