1 Dec 2011
29 Nov 2011
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28 Nov 2011
Another active day on the mountains, avalanches from Size 1 to Size 4 were controlled by hand charges and heli-bombing today. This is a shot of Blackcomb Bowl were a hand charge released a size 3 avalanche.
The largest result from heli-bombing on Blackcomb was the bowl referred to as Corona, it was released by a 2 Kg charge deployed on the skiers lt side, the entire bowl released, the largest avalanche I have known off in the past 32 years for this slope. (Click to see video above) I believe it is a size 4 considering the fracture line was from 1.5 meters to 3 Meters in depth. The initial avalanche pulls out the steepest slope then the entire bowl releases going across the valley and uphill. Many large avalanches were released on Whistler as well, Flute, Glacier Cirque, Exiliration, are just a few. If you are up in the next few days its a good idea to take note what has slid and how big the results are. At the end of the month I hope to compile images and a summary of the events from a very active November.
27 Nov 2011
Ryan Bougie Picture: As you can see there is not much visual reference at this time. A size 2 was observed out of low test with explosive testing this am. In the past 24 hours the temperatures spiked to maximums at 17:00 on Saturday November 26 Th. Horstman Hut at 2240 Meters was -1.2 and at the Catskinner weather plot 1550 Meters it was +2.4. Winds in the alpine over the past 24 hours have been averaging at 65-85 Km per hour with gusts up to 150 Km per hour. The Catskinner weather plot had 1 centimeter of new snow this morning while the Pig Alley weather plot at 1650 meters had 10 centimeters. Pig Alley Precipitation gauge is registering 50 Millimeters at this time 11:00 for the past 24 Hours.. The temperatures are cooling off and it is snowing at the bottom of the Solar Coaster Lift on Blackcomb. Temperatures at this time 11:00 are -4 at 2240 Meters and 0 at 1550 Meters. The forecast is calling for clearing this afternoon, flurries for a few days than sunny and warm. Many people are commenting about terminology, it is available at the CAA site listed at the bottom of the page, but here is a quick link to Avalanche Size Classification: www.avalanche.ca/cac/library/research-and-articles/Avsize Present Avalanche Conditions |
26 Nov 2011
Fresh snow , sunshine and some great skiing on Friday Nov 25. Avalanche control produced more slides on both Whistler and Blackcomb. Size 1 to Size 3 . The next 2 days will produce significant load again and there should be some good results. The snow pack is about as complicated as I have seen it in my career. In this shot if you look closely you can see a size 3 on Little Whistler. If you are venturing into the backcountry please read the advisory. Click on this link. Present Avalanche Conditions |
Fracture line Profile in Bushrat Blackcomb Mountain Nov 25 |
25 Nov 2011
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24 Nov 2011
A short clip from Heli Bombing on November 22, 2011. The slope is referred to as Shrund Alley, a 2 Kg shot was deployed. Good result for this particular slope. On November 23 more explosive testing was conducted on Blackcomb with little results. Another 15-20 centimeters is expected today and a juicy storm coming on Saturday. The hazard rating is still high and with more load things will get active again. Click here for the up to date hazard rating
23 Nov 2011
21 Nov 2011
20 Nov 2011
Braden Douglas Photo Nov 10, 2011 | Click on this link to learn how depth hoar is formed. |
19 Nov 2011
Braden Douglas Photo November 10,2011 No new snow reported for today but cool tempretures will certainly develop surface hoar. Latest avalanche observations from Whistler Mountain can be viewed here |
18 Nov 2011
Another 5 cm was recorded at Pig Alley this morning, yesterday some significant results were achieved helibombing on Whistler Mountain. If you are up skiing today look around at the results. Forecast for next week is looking very favorable for all you powder hounds, could be skiing to the valley soon.
Natural activity has been observed by ski toures under rock bands. With the observations I have been given and discussed in the blog, this is another year with an interesting coastal snowpack.
Click here for latest avalanche advisory in the Whistler Area
Natural activity has been observed by ski toures under rock bands. With the observations I have been given and discussed in the blog, this is another year with an interesting coastal snowpack.
Click here for latest avalanche advisory in the Whistler Area