Canadian Avalanche Centre Urges Backcountry Users to be Cautious

[Avalanche Canada]

March 13, 2014, Revelstoke, BC: After four avalanche fatalities in the past six days, the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is urging backcountry users to make cautious and conservative decisions while in avalanche terrain.
“We’ve been dealt a pretty troublesome snowpack this season and our terrain choices need to reflect that fact,” explains Karl Klassen, Manager of the CAC’s Public Avalanche Warning Service. “The weak layers we’ve been tracking for many weeks remain a significant problem and areas where you might have felt safe in previous seasons may not be the best choices this winter.”
Two of the recent fatal snowmobile accidents occurred in cut-blocks—areas below treeline cleared by logging companies. “Often, riding below treeline can be a safer choice in terms of avalanche danger,” explains Klassen. “But with our current warm temperatures and wet snow at low elevations, that’s not the case at this time. Riders need to be wary of avalanche terrain even near valley bottom, at least until a solid freeze occurs.” Until conditions improve, the CAC recommends travelling on small, simple, low-angle terrain with no terrain traps. Exposure to large slopes and cornices above should also be avoided whenever possible.
It’s also critical that all backcountry users are equipped with essential safety equipment for avalanche terrain, adds Klassen. “Everyone in the party needs an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel every day, regardless of expected conditions. And it’s equally vital that everyone is familiar with practiced with this equipment. If an avalanche occurs, there is no time to go for help.” The critical window for finding and extricating a victim is just 10 minutes, when there is an 80% chance of survival. The odds drop dramatically after that. At just 35 minutes, there’s a less than 10% chance of survival.
In addition to the essential equipment, airbags are recommended. But as with any piece of safety equipment, it’s vital to have practiced its operation and to ensure it is tested and in good working order before going into avalanche terrain.
For further information on the current conditions, please see the CAC Forecaster’s Blog page at: http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/forecaster-blog/
The South Rockies blog has an excellent video: http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/

 

[Team Pigeon]

Klassen is right. It's not predictable out there. I also think the death toll should be announced at the top of the bulletins- lest we forget.

Here's some obs from Castlegar.

Had a wet slide rip across one of our access roads this past weekend- south facing natural 4000'. Probably during the monsoon rain event we had to 6000' a few days ago. Made trail grooming really tricky. This is also a road where winter logging activities ceased- so there's huge berms on either side which is virtually an endless terrain trap. Slide comes down and pounds you into the bank instead of fanning out, next thing you know a simple class 1 buries your 7' deep.

Just heard today of a sledder triggered 100cm by 100' fracture (not yet confirmed) that I'm gonna go try check out the next couple days. Happened yesterday, SSW facing 6000'. Out of province group being 'guided'.

Ladybird range west facing has got the past week's storm snow tearing out naturally and is most likely going to give the public a false sense of security as the facets are still waiting for us down low. Some crowns and some point starts. Hangfire up top is also pounding down, one of my pics show a darkened section of ridgeline where the cornice used to be.

Drive north two valleys, West facing naturals are coming down their skinny slide paths to valley floor.

And now there's a wicked 2-3" crust everywhere you look. High winds. Another nice slab layer. This sucks.



And great job in the blogs, it is uber useful reading. Keep up the good work, reports, pictures and videos.