Might want to read this.....

[Duke]

If your heading out this weekend, play it safe !!

http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/cac-forecasts/north-columbia/

NORTH COLUMBIA
Special Message

The conditions in the southern part of this region are very tricky at the moment. The layer in question is quite variable in distribution and sensitivity. In general, it appears the greatest risk is at and below treeline, which is unusual, but there are areas near the Trans-Canada Highway where the tricky conditions extend into the Alpine. If you are not familiar with surface hoar layers and do not have local knowledge of how the surface looked when it was buried in late December, I'd be very careful for a while yet, especially in the South and at low to mid elevations.
Fatal Avalanche Incident near Rossland - See Kootenay Boundary Forecast for more details.


Confidence: Fair

Updated by Anna Brown 060110. Still limited information from the Cariboos. In the Selkirks and Monashees my confidence is a higher.


Weather Forecast

Thursday:Continued clear and cold with arctic air. Friday:Above freezing layer develops with incoming pacifc front. Snow and wind starts in the late afternoon with dropping freezing levels. Saturdayacific front should reach the interior bringing 10-15cm of snow with moderate to strong winds by the end of the day. Updated by Anna Brown 060110


Avalanche Activity

In the Cariboos, little significant activity has been reported, however, I have very limited data sources there at the moment. In the Selkirks and Monashees, natural activity has tapered off but the cycle of human triggered avalanches continues. Most of these avalanches are concentrated at and below treeline. A few of these slides have been large: remotely triggered size 3s with fracture lines hundreds of metres in length.


Travel Advisory

Selkirks and Monashees: Terrain to Avoid Below Treeline and Treeline: Over 30 degrees, large slopes, convex and unsupported features, terrain traps. Alpine: lee areas behind ridgecrests. Nearer the Trans-Canada Highway, treat the alpine more like Treeline and Below Treeline as noted above.
Selkirks and Monashees: Techniques to Manage Risk Below Treeline and Treeline: One at a time on avalanche slopes. Regroup in dense trees. Alpine: Avoid areas where you feel firm slabs over softer snow. Nearer the Trans-Canada Highway, treat the alpine more like Treeline and Below Treeline as noted above.
Cariboos If you feel or hear whumphing or see shooting cracks, apply the advice given above. Otherwise, normal caution is advised.
Even professionals with significant local knowledge are treating the current conditions with care and respect. Conditions vary significantly from one valley or slope to the next. Updated by Anna Brown 060110


Snowpack

The late December surface is highly variable over elevations and aspects. The biggest issue is surface hoar, which lies 30 - 70 cms below the surface in most areas and is proving to be most reactive at and below treeline on most aspects in the Selkirks and Monashees. The nearer you get to the Trans-Canada Highway, the more touchy the surface hoar layer seems to be.

 

[Duke]

SOUTH COLUMBIA

http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/cac-forecasts/south-columbia/

A weak layer of surface hoar is buried 30-50cm deep.This condition seems more pronounced in the Selkirks and the eastern Monashees.


Special Message

The conditions in the central part of this region are very tricky at the moment. The layer in question is quite variable in distribution and sensitivity. In general, it appears the greatest risk is at and below treeline, which is unusual, but there are probably areas in the Selkirks where the tricky conditions extend into the Alpine. If you are not familiar with surface hoar layers and do not have local knowledge of how the surface looked when it was buried in late December, I'd be very careful for a while yet, especially in the Selkirks.
Fatal Avalanche Incident near Rossland - See Kootenay Boundary Forecast for more details.


Confidence: Fair

Updated by Anna Brown 060110.


Weather Forecast

Thursday:Continued clear and cold with arctic air. Friday:Above freezing layer develops with incoming pacifc front. Snow and wind starts in the late afternoon with dropping freezing levels. Saturdayacific front should reach the interior bringing 10-15cm of snow with moderate to strong winds by the end of the day. Updated by Anna Brown 060110


Avalanche Activity

In the Purcells, little significant activity has been reported. In the Selkirks and Monashees, natural activity has tapered off but human and explosive triggered avalanches continue. Most of these avalanches are concentrated at treeline and below treeline. In the Selkirks, activity extends into the low alpine. Slides have been up to size 2 with fracture lines of over 100 metres yesterday with even larger slides occurring the day before.


Travel Advisory

Terrain to Avoid Below Treeline and Treeline: Over 30 degrees, large slopes, convex and unsupported features, terrain traps. Alpine: lee areas behind ridgecrests. In the Selkirks, treat the alpine more like Treeline and Below Treeline as noted above.
Techniques to Manage Risk Below Treeline and Treeline: One at a time on avalanche slopes. Regroup in dense trees. Alpine: Avoid areas where you feel firm slabs over softer snow. In the selkirks, treat the alpine more like Treeline and Below Treeline as noted above.
Even professionals with significant local knowledge are treating the current conditions with care and respect. Conditions vary significantly from one valley or slope to the next. Updated by Anna Brown 060110


Snowpack

The late December surface is highly variable over elevations and aspects. The biggest issue is surface hoar, which lies 30 - 70 cms below the surface in most areas and is proving to be most reactive at and below treeline on most aspects in the Selkirks and eastern Monashees. In the Selkirks this layer has been reactive in the low alpine as well.