Assess your line before committing, the upper snowpack is not well bonded to a crust underneath.
Avalanche activity may be decreasing, but human-triggered avalanches are still possible.
In some places, wind slabs remain reactive to the weight of a human. Isolated areas may contain much deeper deposits than anticipated, and previously shallow areas may now have reactive wind slabs sitting on weak, sugary facets.
A layer of buried surface hoar or weak, sugary facets overlying a crust may avalanche under the weight of a human, possibly even on an adjacent or overhead slope.
Snowpack tests conducted by our field team at Hankin on Tuesday indicated that the persistent weak layer remains concerning. Touchy fractures 45 cm below the surface.
Also, east of Ningunsaw Park, a couple of rider remote-triggered avalanches were reported on southeast aspects in alpine terrain.
Field observations have been limited, if you head out, please consider submitting a Mountain Information Network post.
In alpine and open treeline areas expect highly variable surface conditions. Exposed crust, 15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow, or large sastrugi. (See photo below) There is significantly more snow as you travel north of Hazelton.
This sits over a variety of surfaces including facets over a crust, old hard wind slabs, or surface hoar. The surface hoar is most likely to be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
Another layer of weak, faceted crystals and a crust may be found buried 30 to 60 cm deep, seen in the snow profile photo below.
The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 6 cm of snow expected, with higher amounts being in the north half of the forecast area. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind, with isolated areas of strong wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C. Up to 5 °C colder in the north end of the forecast area.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -5 °C. Up to 10 °C colder in the north end of the forecast area.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow expected, possibly 10 to 20 cm in areas around Stewart. Strong south ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -2 °C. Up to 5 °C colder in the north half of the forecast area.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow expected. Light northwest ridgetop wind, southwest in the north half of the forecast area. Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Up to 5 °C colder in the north half of the forecast area.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
