16 Feb 2012

New snow over night, dust on crust!

At 2280 meters the temperature was -7 as of 06:00. Winds were 40-60 KPH out of the SE. At 1550 meters the temperature was -6, 98 % humidity and the barometer dropping slowly. At Catskinner 4 cm of snow has fallen. At pig alley there was 2 cm recorded at 05:30. In the valley it was -1. 
Thanks for this field report from Clark Lewis:

Hi Wayne. 
Clark Lewis here (Blackcomb volly doctor). Skied Garibaldi NE face (Warren glacier) today. 

Strong SW alpine wind above 2200m wrapping around and wind loading NE and E aspects. Triggered small size 1 slide at 2500m on thinly bridged headwall burgshrund, 15cm crown, 20m wide, ran 100m. Felt suddenly hollow as i weighted my ski. It was all fresh loading from the wind today. Below bergshrund was solid despite the loading. 

Also saw big fresh-looking crown on "the tent", a sub peak of Garibaldi, direct N aspect, approx 2400m, approx 3m crown, 100m wide, ran 300m, likely from yest or today since it wasn't yet wind loaded. 


Clark Lewis Photo

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory


A quick clip on a very reactive layer: Ski Cutting