Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
The wind is changing the snowpack drastically. Watch for new windslabs where there is still snow. Conservative terrain is a good idea while we wait for the snow to stabilize. See avalanche discussion for recent avalanche activity.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Avalanche Summary
There were 2 observations today, with one of them being a serious involvement with a party ascending a slope. Details:
1)No involvement: Sz 2, S asp, a heavily crossloaded alpine feature that ran quite far. Unsure of trigger, but suspect natural
1) Involvement: While boot packing, a party triggered a sz 2, steep gully feature. SW aspect, approx 2650m alpine feature. The failure plain was within the many windslab layers.
Snowpack Summary
Wind! We haven't had any new snow, but we have had plenty of wind blowing existing snow around. Treeline and alpine areas now have widespread wind slabs on all easterly aspects. Given the gusty nature of the wind, expect "laminated" or layered wind slabs with no distinct or predictable failure plain. These short term instabilities will stabilize eventually, but for now they should at the front of your mind. Alpine gullies are especially concerning right now. The halloween crust is still lurking below. The burial depths may will vary with this ongoing wind event .
Weather Forecast
Periods of snow starting around noon. 13 cm expected. The winds will continue to howl with SW ridgetop winds over 60km/hr. Daytime highs will be -8, but expect it to feel much colder with the wind. More snow is expected early next week as well as continued high winds.
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There has been heavy wind loading in most alpine areas. Expect dense windslabs in any area that has managed to hold snow. These are easy to trigger and will run far. Treeline has a similar issue, but the slabs will be less dense.