Avalanche Conditions

Avalanche Conditions

We were a recreational party of 3 doing some pre-season reconnaissance skiing in the Valhalla Mountain Touring tenure. After digging a test profile on a NW aspect at 2100m and getting no significant results on the small facets found above the Nov 5 crust (which was under 60 cm of F-4F recent storm snow) we skied a 35 degree n-facing slope. When we transitioned to a south facing moderately treed start zone the storm snow was reactive and we triggered one size 1 and one small size 2 which took one of our party for a short ride into a tree. The crown width was approximately 15m, depth was 50-60cm and the failure plane was facets on the Nov 5 Cr. A narrow tongue of debris continued approx 100m vertical down the gully. We believe that the Moderate SW winds we observed during the day may have pressed the storm snow and contributed to a very subtly more cohesive slab compared to the North aspect.

On The Map

These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.