Rain is forecasted for the alpine today, that might change the hazard, still lots of snow in the alpine.

At 2280 meters the temperature was 0, and winds were 20-40 KPH from the ESE as of 06:00 hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +2, 99% relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is +7.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Still snowing in the Alps: Austria

From down under, NZ ski hill to open June 9 TH: Cornet Peak

Snowmobiler uses Float 30 in an avalanche May 17, 2012:  Iceland

All the avalanche activity close to Whistler is over a week old. Not much has happened recently.

At 2280 meters the temperature was 0, and winds were 15-30 KPH from the SSE as of 06:00 Hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +3, 63 % relative humidity and the barometer is declining lightly.
In the valley it was +6.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Nasa's doing research on snow: NASA

Clear cuts may help avalanches destroy more trees: Forests

Still some great skiing to be had on Blackcomb and in the back country.

At 2280 meters the temperature as of 06:00 hrs was -3, winds were 0-10 KPH from the E.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -2, 85 % relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is 0.

Another great day of corn skiing with those temperatures.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Highway project in Washington State to alleviate avalanche closures: Snoquqlmie Pass

News from down under, NZ avalanche season just starting: Arthur's Pass Mountaineering

Entire mountainside releases in Switzerland: Big Rock Slide

Mt Garibaldi way back in the upper right corner.

The past few days have seen large convective clouds in the area. Still great spring skiing!

At 2280 meters the temperature was -5.5, and winds were 10-20 KPH from the ESE as of 06:00 hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -2, 69% relative humidity and the barometer is on the rise.
In the valley it is +1.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Avalanches in Scotland: Cairngorms

Some avalanche Activity on the Hurley:

Hello All,

Just wanted to send out a Heads Up! Yesterday around noon a Size 3 - 3.5 avalanche crossed the Hurely FSR between Km 11-12. It came down from the east side of Green Mountain in an avalanche path that was a regular offender. The road had been cleared through previous avalanches in the same slide paths within the last couple of weeks.

What is special about this slide is that the slope is SE facing and has seen high temperatures for the last week, but didn't slide until yesterday. The difference yesterday was that the area received a little bit of rain from convective clouds. The gauge at Green Mountain only recorded one or two mm of precipitation, but local reports say there was more in isolated areas.

With the forecast for 10-20mm of precipitation this coming weekend take care out there. There is still enough snow to slide to valley bottom and block the road behind you. The slide on the Hurley was reported about 6 meters deep.

Cheers,
Conny Amelunxen
MG

From Braden Douglas, a picture of the road under path 51 on the Duffy Lake Road. Recent activity!

A slab avalanche popped out by the moraine a few days ago in the upper Fitzsimmons drainage.

At 2280meters the temperature was -3, and winds were 0-10 KPH from the SSE as of 06:00 hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +.5, 75 % relative humidity and the barometer is on a downward trend.
In the valley it is +3.
Should be some rest corn skiing again today with the cooler temps last night.


For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

For some more great images go Garibaldi : Pierrot Harvie

Older footage, skier tries to outrun avalanche: National Geographic

Yesterday started out with a few showers but later in the day it was quite pleasant.

The shadows appeared as the day progressed. 

Mount Garibaldi from a distance is very spectacular, below are some images that are a lot closer.

At 2280 meters the temperture was + 1 as of 06:00 hrs, winds were 10-20 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +5, 75% relative humidity and the barometer is falling.
In the valley it is + 11.

Max temp at 2280 meters was +7 at 17:45 yesterday.

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

From the North Face , Know Boundaries : The Human Factor

Thanks to Pierrot Harvie for submitting some photos from his tour from Brohm ridge to Garibaldi from this past week end, except for some older activity he did not observe any recent avalanches considering the temperatures we had on the week end.

Certainly some old activity here.

West Face of Garibaldi.

[MCR] South coast avalanche activity

Some old activity on the Tantalus Range, btm right corner, some observations noted on ACMG blog.

At 2280 meters the temperature was +3 as of 06:00, winds were 20-35 KPH from the S.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +8, 32.5 % relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is + 4.

Max temperature at 2280 meters was +13 at 19:15 yesterday.
The corn skiing is still good. The park is busy!

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Information on ABS airbags and its inventor: Peter Aschauer

Sunday, May 13, 2012

[MCR] South coast avalanche activity

New Avalanche Activity:

I have been doing long mountain bike rides around the Squamish Trails yesterday and today.  Daytime highs of 24 degrees.

Saturday: Large slab avalanche  crown(fracture) line was visible on Mt. Thyestes(across the Squamish River at the eastern end of the Tantalus Range), East aspect at 1500 M, treeline bowl feature.  Approx. size 2

Sunday:  Large slab avalanche crown(fracture) line was visible on Mt Murchison / Mt. Lapworth Bowl( across the Squamish River west of Squamish).  East aspect 2000 M, alpine Ridge feature.  Approx. Size 2.5 

It looked like the crown lines were a couple of meters deep viewed from 10 km away.  There were no rocks or ground visible in the bed surface.  The debris was not visible from my locations.

Chris Lawrence
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
CAA Professional Member
chrislawrence@shaw.ca

No activity yesterday on Mt Currie either!

One of the many grouse which can be seen and heard around the mountain these days.

At 2280 meters the temperature was +4 as of 06:00 hrs, winds were 5-15 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +7, 40% relative humidity and the barometer is on a slight decline.
In the valley it is +3.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Family sues over inbounds avalanche death: Winter Park

Alaska is still in a winter cycle: Alyeska

Some very good images of  an Avalanche on Annapurna: Very Lucky

A video on the crevasse incident on Friday, not so sure about the height stated: Decker

Guess when this image was taken??

A solo skier fell in a crevasse on Decker Mountain Friday. See story and more pictures below.

The corn skiing on Friday was very nice if your timing was right.

As of 06:00 the temperature was 0 at 2280 meters, and the winds were 10-20 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +5, 38 % relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is +1.

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Norwegian skier dies from injuries after being caught in an avalanche: Mont Blanc

Update on Siachen Glacier avalanche: 135 Buried Souls

Update on avalanche in Tibet: Brahmaputra River Canyon

Avalanches from the past:

The White Killer

The winter of 1950-1951 also took with it many lives, leaving many homeless and dozens under the fearful and grim memories of the tragic avalanche that hit Alps of south-central Europe. 

The January of 1951 received more than usual snowfall at some places more than seven feet. The result was the recipe for avalanche. And finally in the last week of January the white killer was let lose.

Resulting in more than hundred avalanches during the winter season wiping out entire vegetation and destroying homes and raging havoc on mankind. The village of Airolo was completely wiped out. That particular winter claimed more than 280 casualties of the dwellers of Alps.  

Wet slides have huge destructive potential!!

A gentleman travelling solo on the Decker Glacier fell into a crevasse May 11, 2012. Luckily another solo ski tourer witnessed the event accessed the situation and went for help. Whistler SAR extricated the gentleman who had landed 15 meters onto his butt and otherwise uninjured.

As stated in the blog yesterday there appears to be many crevasses sagging and opening up. Use caution, just because there are old tracks over a depression does not mean its safe. Avoid depressions and look at where you are on the glaciers. Situational awareness and good visual observations will keep you safe!!
The temperatures are very warm, more crevasses will be sagging in the next while!

    If you look closely you can see where the snow was bridging.

Its certainly getting warm, things should change:

Wayne,

I spotted a deep slab, not to ground, from a cornice failure. The cornice is
near the end of the ridge between Helm Flats and Corrie Lake in the park,
while the crown of the slab is down near treeline from a big wind feature.

The crust was far less durable today, wet grains with a weak crust, easy ski
pole to ground in most areas including a lot of the debris from last Monday.

Who knows, maybe this pattern will trigger a cycle!

Tony

Spearhead, coast range

The highway to the valley is slowly shrinking, amazing job keeping it open.

At 2280 meters the temperature was 0 as of 06:00, winds were 10-20 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +2, 50 % relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is -1.

For the Updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

An emergency medicine blog, factors that determine survival : Scandinavia

Avalanche in Tibet: Caught in a canyon

South of the border: Mt St Helenes

Avalanches from the past:
Lahaul Valley, India (1979, early March)
Five days of snowstorms creates deep drifts over the Himalayan foothills in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. A series of avalanches bury the valley beneath 15 to 20 feet of snow. About 200 people are estimated dead.


From the ACMG blog:

Thursday, May 10, 2012

 Spearhead, coast range

I Did The Spearhead Traverse today from Blackcomb lifts with a singing pass trail exit.  Seems like today was the day for it.

• Overnight recovery of the surface snow with –7 morning air temperatures.
• Cloud increased through the day with some afternoon flurries.
• Down hill skiing was fast on a supportive surface.
• Uphill track-setting was challenging, even with ski crampons.  Hard on the feet.
• Dust on crust high up on a few glaciers only.
• Evidence of wet loose avalanches to size 2.5 on many solar aspects.  Several days old.
• Some steep east aspects moist at mid day.  By mid afternoon refrozen as the weather changed.
• Freezing level stayed below tree-line at approx. 1600 meters all day.
• Tomorrow, Friday is the start of high freezing levels.  Right to ridge top.
• The crust won't hang on as long.
• Early starts are key, aspect is very important as the sun moves around through the day.
• Singing pass trail was very fast and icy in the upper half.  Slow and wet through the bottom third.  The snow disappeared 1 km from the end.  Walking from there was pretty straightforward.

Chris Lawrence
ACMG Mountain Guide IFMGA
CAA Professional member

Still able to ski down from base 2 to the bottom of the wizard, with the forecasted temperatures it will be hard to keep the highway white.

Surprisingly, the crevasses are already sagging and opening up.  Someone fell in a hole near Decker yesterday!!

The snow line is quickly retreating up the mountain, yet there were snow flurries in the valley Wednesday and flurries on the mountain Thursday.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -6, winds were 5-15 KPH from the SSE as of 06:00 Hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -4, 75 % relative humidity and the barometer is on a slight decline.
In the valley it is -2. The long term forecast looks sunny for possibly a week!

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

From Unofficial Networks: Stolen Chairlift

Anyone for a snow shower: Japanese Snow Shower

Avalanches from the past:

Iran (1990)
A 7.7 scale earthquake causes avalanches that bury villages and take 50,000 lives.

Still cold in the alpine, things should change this week end.

The Tantalus Range has had a bit of activity, will be interesting what the next weeks temperatures do!

At 2280 meters the temperature as of 03:00 was -7, winds were 10-20 KPH from the S.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -5.5, 77% relative humidity and the barometer is rising.
In the valley it is -3. The weather sensors are presently not up to date.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Another Avalanche in Kashmir: 7 Indian Soldiers Buried

Spring conditions in Europe: SL

 Click here for a definition of a debris avalanche:  Debris Avalanche

Large Debris Avalanche from the past:


Yungay, Peru (1970, May 31)
At 3:23 p.m., while many of the city’s 20,000 residents were listening to the closing moments of the World Cup soccer game, a huge earthquake shook the northern half of Peru. The city was soon in ruins - walls collapsed, houses crumpled, and the city plaza was split open. The survivors of this worst earthquake in Western Hemisphere history then heard a low rumble overhead. Millions of tons of icy snow break loose from the high slopes of Nevado de Huascarán, tumbling down into lakes and reservoirs. The ice falls then cause lakes to overflow, sending a wave of mud, ice, debris, and rocks 10 miles down the valley at 3 miles per minute. The city and its 20,000 inhabitants, including some small villages, are buried beneath 100 million cubic yards of mud and rubble. Only 92 survive. This would be known as the worst avalanche in history. A Peruvian relief pilot, flying above the destruction, reported in disbelief, “Yungay no longer exists!




Owl Creek to Tenquille Lake Traverse, thanks to Micheal Gigliotti for these images and information.

Hi Wayne,

Numerous natural wet point release avalanches along the above traverse May 5 - 8.  Sizes estimated from 1 to 3 generally.  I added the three other pictures of a size 3.5 maybe 4 (uncertain of the trigger) that had cleared an avalanche path beyond its normal reach of the south side of Goat mountain.

Thanks for all the useful avalanche information collected and distributed this season Wayne.

Mike G.

If anyone sees any large releases in the next while or even in the summer please forward pictures and estimated times of the event. Working on the 2011-2012 winter cycle power point. Thanks Wayne

A birds eye view of some recent wet surface activity.

At 2280 meters the temperature as of 06:00 was -6, winds were 20-35 KPH from the SSW.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -2.5, 83% relative humidity and the barometer is rising.
In the valley it is +5.

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

A European idea for sharing Avalanche information: GeoAvalanche

A backcountry skiing blog: Wild Snow

Avalanches from the past:

Leukerbad (Wallis), Switzerland (1718, January 17)
This famous spa is known for both its medicinal baths and its avalanches. In December 1717, snow fell continuously for ten days. On January 16 and 17, rain fell on already heavily snow-covered mountains. At 10 a.m., a small avalanche killed three people on the outskirts of the town. An unsuccessful rescue mission returned to town around 7 p.m., just as a second powder avalanche came and destroyed the Saint Laurentius Chapel, three of the baths, all the inns, and fifty houses. The slide also killed 52 people. Avalanches hit the town again in 1720 and 1758.

Large cornices are still ripe to collapse. Still lots of snow out there.

At 2280 meters the temperature was 0, winds were 40-65 KPH from the SSE as of 06:00 Hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +5.5, 51 % relative humidity, and the barometer is falling.
In the valley it is +4.

For the  updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Updated on avalanche and flood in Nepal: Annapurna

Avalanches from the past:

Reckingen, Switzerland (1970, February 24)
An avalanche strikes a military camp, killing twenty-nine officers of the Swiss army. Avalanche threats had been apparent for a month, for snow was laden heavily on the side of 10,200-foot-high Blinnehorn Peak, directly over the camp. The avalanche carried the stone officers’ barracks 200 feet from its foundation. Fortunately, the snow missed the main part of camp, where about 500 enlisted men were staying in wooden huts.

When will there be a large avalanche cycle in the corridor?

Slide paths on Duffy Lake, the ice is starting to melt. Lower elevation snow has melted fairly quickly.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -2, winds were 10-20 KPH from the SSE as of 06:00 Hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was +1.5, 80% relative humidity and the barometer is on a slight downward trend.
In the valley it is +3.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

For a summary of Avalanche Fatalities in Europe : 2011-2012 Season

Some more info on past world avalanches:

Swiss-Austrian Alps (1950-1951, winter)
A series of 649 avalanches killed over 265 people in three months known as the Winter of Terror. The slides were caused by strange weather conditions. Warm air had moved inland from the Atlantic Ocean to collide with cold polar air, producing lots of snow and rain. Austria suffered the most damage, losing thousands of acres of forest, several small villages, and more than 100 lives. Switzerland lost 900 buildings and 92 lives.

Wet point releases from yesterday.

Still some decent skiing out there!

As of 06:00 the temperature at 2280 meters was -4, winds were calm.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -4, 94% relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is 0.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Everest Base Camp avalanche April 27, 2012: Update

Story and photos from avalanches on Annapurna: Annapurna

The worlds most dangerous mountain: Annapurna


Avalanches from the past:

Wellington, Washington, USA (1910, March 1)
Three passenger trains were stalled at a station house on the way up to the Stevens Pass in the Cascade Range. The trains, several carriages, and the station house were swept up by an avalanche and carried over a ledge in a canyon 150 feet below. 118 people were estimated dead.

Friday mornings surface consisted of 10 cm of stellars, rimed stellars , grapple, and even plate stellars. Where it was blown in above 1800 meters there were 20 -25 cm soft slabs from Thursday night and early Friday morning. The sun had its way with the snow fairly quickly Friday morning.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -4, winds were 20-30 KPH from the SE at 06:00 Hrs.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -2, 98 % relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
1 cm was recorded at 1550 meters over night.
In the valley it is +4.

The wizard chair will be opening at 09:30 this morning.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Avalanche causes a flood: Avalanche in Nepal

Some of the avalanche activity Friday was on the April 26 Th crust, it had 3 cm of wet snow with the new snow over that and was producing size 1-1.5 Sc. There were some size 2 Na wet slides in Lakeside Bowl later in the day.

Blackcomb Glacier was closed Friday, be sure to pay attention to the signs.

Large cornice chunks are in many of the bowls, beware if you are in a cloud or flat light.

An old avalanche incident:


Stura Valley, Italy (1775, March 19)
Three people in the Stura Valley of the Piedmont break a record for surviving after being buried for thirty-seven days. Maria Anna Rocha (45), her sister-in-law, her daughter (13), and her son (6) were trapped with the livestock in stables behind their home when 50 feet of snow buried the entire farm. Because the men of the family were not home at the time ane assumed everyone had perished, no rescue attempts were made. Meanwhile, the stable roof caved in under the snow’s weight, trapped the four people further in a space 12 feet long, 8 feet wide, an 5 feet high. All the livestock died except for two goats. The little boy died after twelve days. The women were driven nearly insane by the smell of dead bodies and constantly dripping water. On April 24 the spring thaw helped uncover the top of the shed. The men returned at this time to bury the assumed dead bodies, only to find the women still alive. The young girl did not seem injured, but the sister-in-law could no longer speak and Maria Anna Rochia had gone completely bald.

One of the larger slide paths on Mt Currie, still lots of snow higher up!

At 2280 meters the temperature was -3 as of 06:00. Winds were 15-25 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -2, 99% relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is + 4. 10 cm of new snow was recorded at 1550 meters last night.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

An example of an avalanche bulletin from Europe, just dealing with all the different languages must give the forecasters a challenge: European Advisory

An example of Parks Canada bulletin, they have closed operations for the year: Parks Canada


Blons, Austria (1954, January 12)
More than 200 people die in Austria’s single worst avalanche. About 380 people lived in Blons, a village with 90 houses spread over 10 square miles. At 10:30 a.m., a dry-snow avalanche called the Falv destroyed the central part of town. Nine hours later, a second avalanche known as the Montclav struck, moving 3,800 feet downhill in less than thirty seconds. 115 rescue workers and people died in the second slide.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -5 as of 06:00 hrs. Winds were 10-20 KPH from the ESE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -3, 98% relative humidity and the barometer is on a downward trend.
In the valley it is +2.

Winter is still here, snow flurries are forecasted for the day. Avalanche advisory is at moderate for all elevations.

Having issues with the I pad to get the usual posts out but it's not working for me. Will be back in Whistler
Tomorrow.

Play hard but play safe.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -7, winds were10-20 Kph from the ESE as of 06:00.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -4.5, 95% relative humidity and the barometer is on a slight rise.
In the valley it is +1.

Still winter conditions in the alpine with 2 cm yesterday.

In Penticton at the CAA meetings so limited information. Will return on Friday.

Its always nice to come out of the cloud and see some shadows! That was Sunday.

At 2280 meters as of 05:00 the temperature was - 5, winds were 20-30 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -2, 98% relative humidity and the barometer is on the rise.
In the valley it is +4.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Still no real activity, perhaps next week if the temperatures start to spike.

Finally some soldiers bodies have been recovered from the Siachen Glacier: Recoveries

Have you filled in the Spearhead Hut Survey??:  Spearhead Hut Survey

A very big avalanche in 1962:
Ranrahirca, Peru (1962, January 10)
On January 9, a storm drops several tons of snow onto the slopes of 22,000-foot-high Nevado de Huascarán, the second highest mountain in South America. The next day, the fresh snow begins to melt and flow down beneath the layers of Glacier No. 511. At 6:13 p.m., about three tons of snow on the north summit breaks loose from the melting glacier and falls 3,000 feet into a gorge below. Two minutes later, after traveling one mile, tons more ice and snow wipe out the villages of Pacucco and Yanamachito, killing 800. The remnants of the village are carried down the narrow canyon, a solid wall almost 50 feet high hurtling at speeds over 100 miles an hour. A gale of compressed air pushes ahead of the mass, destroying buildings in Huaraschuco, Uchucoto, Chuquibamba, and Calla before they, too, fall prey to the avalanche. Exploding out of the canyon mouth, about 39 million feet of snow and debris cascade into the river plain and roll over Ranrahirca, burying homes, livestock, buildings, and over 2,700 people. A slight bend in the canyon diverts the avalanche, saving the city of Yungay

Yesterday in the clouds, 1400 meters and snowing.

Wet climax slide out of Lakeside traverse a few years ago, hence avalanche closures.

12 People lost their passes last week for one year by not paying attention to the signs. Lakeside is a location where wet climax slides are frequent over the years, and the closure is up for a reason. Its not worth the risk of getting caught in an avalanche or loosing your pass. There are many closures on both mountains, this sign is important, stop and read them. Get to know where they are!!

At 2280 meters the temperature was -3 as of 06:00, winds were 20-35 KPH from the ESE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -1, 100 % relative humidity and the barometer is dropping.
In the valley it is +5. Snow amounts at 08:00. 3 cm fell at 1550 meters

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

A recent avalanche on Everest: Sherpa Injured

As temperatures close to the freezing point of water, or during times of moderate solar radiation, a gentle freeze-thaw cycle will take place. The melting and refreezing of water in the snow strengthens the snow pack during the freezing phase and weakens it during the thawing phase. A rapid rise in temperature, to a point significantly above the freezing point of water, may cause a slope to avalanche, especially in the spring.