Decent conditions overall, but we have lingering concerns for persistent slabs in these areas, where a 20-40 cm slab may overlie the Jan 24 surface hoar/crust layer and be reactive in steeper terrain. As the surface snow becomes deeper, watch for cracking or signs of slab formation.
Wind slabs may exist in the alpine on steep lee aspects resulting from south and west winds. Watch for drifted snow, and use any opportunities to test on small terrain features, and check the stability of the surface snow.
A 10-30 cm slab over the Jan. 24th surface hoar layer could catch users off guard in isolated, shady aspects at treeline and below. Check the snowpack often: monitor the character and behaviour of the slab above this weak layer closely. Recent activity has been between 1500 and 1800m.
Friday - Moderate SW winds, trace snow and treeline temperatures around -7C
Saturday - Moderate SW winds, 3-5cm of snow, and the same temperatures as Friday
Sunday - Trace snow, and similar winds and temperatures.
A report from yesterday in Yoho about the Jan 24 surface hoar being reactive below treeline shows the layer can still be triggered. No other avalanches reported.
The snow surface is a mix of crusts, wind slab and soft snow, and changes often within short distances. Below this, lies a variety of crusts on solar aspects; dry snow on north aspects, and surface hoar/crust (Jan 24) down 15-30 cm at treleine and below. This layer has been reactive recently between 1500 and 800m. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well settled.
