Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
We have a couple of interesting, and potentially dangerous layers in the snowpack. Read the snowpack discussion section to get a better picture of what is happening. Choose terrain wisely, and investigate the snowpack frequently as you travel.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
These are hidden under the new snow. Look for them as you transition to alpine terrain and/or as you approach ridge tops.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes
Avalanche Summary
Several loosed dry avalanches were noted today. Up to sz1.5 and coming out of 45 plus terrain.
Snowpack Summary
The last 2 days have brought nearly 30cm of new snow. Luckily this new snow has come in with no wind and there is very little wind effect at any elevation. Beneath this new snow lies an interesting snowpack. Up to 2200m, there are 2 surface hoar layers: the Jan 6th(down 30cm) & the Dec 15(down 70cm). We are just starting to see results on these layers as the new snow load slowly builds up. As of today, the Jan 6th layer is lacking a surface slab, which is preventing it from being a slab avalanche concern. BUT, if/when there is a slab above it, expect this layer to be a very serious avalanche problem. Meanwhile, the Dec 15th is starting to fail in stability tests (CTM12, SC down 70cm). The difficulty with both of these layers is knowing where they are NOT in the terrain. In some areas we've seen the surface hoar up to 2300m and in in others only up to 2200...and to make it worse yet, in some areas we have seen bands of surface hoar that show up at random intervals. In the alpine, there is an intermittent windslab that feels as though it could sneak up on us and be a real surprise.
Weather Forecast
Clear periods overnight with a few flurries. An alpine low of -18 with westerly winds at 25km/hr. Tomorrow will see more flurries and temps around -10 in the alpine. Winds will be light from the southwest.
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These were running mid path today and were starting is steep, yet skiable terrain. Avoid gully features for the next while.