Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
There are isolated areas of considerable hazard in the alpine. Higher than expected winds have made new slabs in the high alpine. Lots of spindrift coming down from alpine ridges today.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Large triggers are a concern.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Summary
We did see 1 cornice triggered slab on a sub-peak of Mt Lougheed. It pulled out the unsupported slope below it and then triggered another slope further down. It didn't appear to go on the deep persistent layer.
Snowpack Summary
The high alpine is experiencing stronger winds than expected. As expected, windslabs are a growing concern in the alpine. The question is are they reactive or not. We suspect yes- in certain places. Steep alpine slopes (35-40 degree plus) are suspect. The windslabs are also "laminated". Meaning that there are multiple slabs stacked up on each other with possible weaknesses between them. Open areas at treeline are less suspect as the winds haven't touched that area yet.
Weather Forecast
Clear overnight with light(25km/hr) winds. Given what we saw today, the winds will be stronger above 2600m. Tomorrow will be a mix of sun and cloud with a daytime high of -9 at 2300m.
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Lots of transport in the high alpine today. Steep alpine terrain will have new windslabs of varying density depending on wind exposure.