Monday will be another great day to be in the back country. There is plenty of cold, dry snow and the weather is stable.
Remember that LOW avalanche danger is not the same as NO danger. Carry avalanche safety gear (transceiver, shovel and probe).
Isolated pockets of Wind Slab may be encountered particularly, on slopes facing North through to East above about 1700m. Avoid ridge line entry points and other steep unsupported slopes if you find deposits of stiff, wind deposited snow.
Loose Wet avalanche activity cannot be ruled out particularly, on solar (North facing) slopes during the middle of the day.
No back country avalanches reported over the past 24 hours. Control work at Treble Cone over the weekend produced numerous Wind Slab avalanches on East facing terrain (mostly size 1 and a couple of size 2).
If you see evidence of avalanches in the back country please enter a Public Observation.
A significant amount of snow fell July 22nd - 24th (50 - 60cm in the Albert Burn and at least 30cm further east). Much of this snow has landed with minimal wind effect. Prior to the storm which arrived mid last week, the snow pack was mostly stable. Having said that, facets and depth hoar (weak, sugary forms) have been found in places. These pockets of questionable strength appear to be quite isolated and are most likely to exist in steep, shady areas (facing East to South).
Monday - fine with perhaps some high cloud in the afternoon. Light to moderate South West winds. Freezing level - 1000m rising to 1600m.
Recent snow will have reduced the sliding danger. However, keep in mind that the underlying pack remains shallow especially, at lower elevations. Rocks and icy areas may be lurking below a thin cover of fresh snow.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
