Kakwa Avalanches

The combination of strong southerly winds and sudden rise in temperatures in Kakwa created a widespread avalanche cycle above treeline on north to east facing slopes. The day before we had noted around 35cm of fluffy powder that was fun to ride, but was then easily picked up by the strong winds the following day and deposited onto lee slopes into thick windslabs. The wind and blowing snow also built up cornices, one of which we saw collapse and trigger an avalanche directly (first photo). We saw several other slabs out, some of which we guessed were also triggered by falling cornices. Temperatures had also risen quickly from -20C when we arrived on the evening of the 18th, up to 1C by the morning of the 20th. We found good riding in areas that were sheltered from the wind and avoided overhead hazard from north through east facing avalanche paths and cornices.