March 27, 2014

 

                                                                                                                     Kelvin Photo
Thanks to Kelvin for submitting observations and pictures. The slope is on the East side of Spearhead Ridge on the traverse from the climb up to Husume to the climb up to Corona. Last year a similar circumstance resulted in the burial of an individual who was about to climb up to Corona, always be aware of who is above and who is below you. Cutting avalanches above someone is not cool!!!

    2 guys crossed the slope on the way to Corona then a solo skier triggered the slope and was partially      buried. He dug himself out but lost a pole. Size 2 SE slope 1:00 pm 1.5 meter deposit. French                    national by himself, had a pack, gear?

                                                                                                                                           Kelvin Photo

    Early Wednesday morning, unsettled but an amazing morning, 30 cm of pow, cold temps and vis.

    Dry, knee deep powder end of March, got to like it!

    Clouds increased as the day went on, convective activity during the day.

    Mostly size 1 soft slab results with Xe and Xh. Hand charges and helicopter deployed charges.

    Sunset March 26, 2014; 19:30 hrs.

Weather observations for March 27, 2014, taken at 06:00 hrs this am.

2240 meters      -8, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the S
2180 meters      -6, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the E
1860 meters      -7, Winds were 0-5 KPH from the E
1835 meters      -7, Winds were 0-5 KPH from the ESE
1650 meters      -5, 1 cm of new snow, Base 268 cm
1550 meters      -4, 1 cm of new snow, Base 216 cm, 5 cm of settlement
  660 meters      -2, Valley Temperature, 7.1mm yesterday, Max temp +8.5 yesterday


For the forecast we will see unsettled condition, cloudier this am with possible sunny breaks this afternoon as a very weak ridge moves through our zone. Another frontal system will move in later this evening into Friday. An upper trough should arrive for Friday night through the weekend with cool and showery conditions. Some disagreement in the models for Monday, so more on that later. Guesstimates: Trace to 2 cm for Friday morning, 10-15 cm by Saturday morning, 8-10 cm by Sunday morning, 8-10 cm by Monday morning. Freezing levels will reach 1200 meters today and fluctuate between 900-1300 meters over the weekend.

Presently we have overcast skies, a variable visibility and it is snowing less than 1 cm per hour.


Avalanche activity in the corridor yesterday produced Size 1-2 soft slab avalanches from explosive control skier accidentals, ski cuts. There was a size 3 cornice drop on Flute.

Satellite image from yesterday.

    Looking like precipitation amounts may be slightly down for the weekend.


Persistent Problems in White Pass: CAC Forecasters Blog

Element Barryvox wins gear of the year award: Mammut

More information on CMH avalanche: German News

Ladakh region to remain cut off from rest of the world: Too much snow

NASA measures snowpack in California and Colorado: From an airplane at 20,000 ft

Weather Shock in Kashmir reflects Global trend: Weather Surprises

    Avalanche hut and ski school building at top of Solar Coaster.

   Sa (Skier accidental) lower DOA.

                                              Early morning turns down Schoolmarm!

Xh(heli deployment) top of Blackcomb Glacier.

    Once  clearance was given people were charging for their favourite lines.

    One of the bigger results out of there Stupid Traverse. March 26, 2014.