Toby Tortorelli Photo

Thank you Toby for submitting this great picture, the slab on Mt Cayley looks like it has gone down to the mid October crust which was shown in my very first post. This is an East aspect and Toby estimated it to be 6-7 meters deep at the highest part of the crown. Everyone should take note that this persistent weak layer (PWL) was also mentioned in yesterdays post from the Toba Inlet. Most avalanche technicians are referring this deep layer as the October 31 crust but in fact the mid October crust is likely the culprit.

Jeff is holding the crust formed on October 31 in his hand, it was 20 cm below the surface. This pit was dug on November 3, 2011.

The mid October crust is where Jeff's hand is, it was 15 cm thick and supported on basal facets.

At 06:00 today the temperature at 2280 meters was -11 with southerly winds 55-65 KPH. At 1650 meters, pig alley 8 cm of new snow was recorded. At 1550 meters the temperature was -6 and the barometer is on the decline.. In the valley it is -2.

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

An email from one of the Whistler SAR members:

Hey Wango

In Juneau if you poach a sign line and get caught its 30 days in Jail and a $500 fine. Maybe we need to get the cops up there for a sting operation. Just finished watching them shoot the Thane paths with the howitzer got a nice big size 3 out of one of them. Anyway got some good pics. I'll forward a article that's a interesting read too.

Happy New year
Braden

Article in the Question in regards to the incident mentioned on the January 10,2012 post:

One skier suffered a knee injury after an in-bounds avalanche on Monday (Jan. 9) in the Glacier Bowl on Whistler Mountain. According to a statement issued by Whistler Blackcomb (WB), seven skiers and/or snowboarders were involved in the incident. Only the one knee injury was reported. The Size 2 slide was triggered by a skier on the run called The Cirque and occurred at about 12:41 p.m. Monday, the statement said. That area of Whistler is accessed by the Peak Chair. “Whistler Mountain Ski Patrol responded immediately with an avalanche rescue dog team and patrol staff to sweep the area, ensuring no one else was involved,” the statement said. The injured skier was planning to ski out after the slide, but members of ski patrol recommended that he attend the Whistler Health Care Centre for treatment, a WB spokesperson told The Question on Wednesday (Jan. 11). WB officials continue to be in contact with the skier to determine the extent of his injuries. Avalanche assessment and control was done in the Glacier Bowl area the morning of the slide before the alpine was opened, the statement said. “Safety is of the utmost importance at Whistler Blackcomb and the Whistler Blackcomb Patrol team works diligently to provide the safest possible mountain experience,” the statement said. According to the Canadian Avalanche Association, a Size 2 slide has the potential to “bury, injure or kill a person.” A typical mass is 100 tonnes with a slide length of 100 metres.

Dary here up in Toba, had a avalanche today that went on the Oct 31 cr/fc interface, scraped entire HS off down to glacial ice. Trigger was a single 25 kg Xh. In light of the Hanging Roll slide Dec 30 thought you might like to know. Crown is  4-8m  X  1000m,  ran from 2400m to 600m,  across 500m flat valley then up 400m into timber and rock slabs, triggering a sz 2+ on the rock slabs.

 Play safe,

 Dary.

8m max

1000m wide

Thank you Dary for sharing those images. A very scary PWL .

It was -7 at 2280 m with winds 20- 30 KPH from the south at 06:00. At 1550 it was -4 and the barometer is falling slightly. In the valley it is -4.

For the up dated Avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Click here for avalanche size details: Avalanche Size

Lakeside Bowl just above Ziggy's Meadow is a Permanent Closure. Anywhere above the normal traverse line is a permanent closure, Hiking Up Hill will cost you your pass and skiing privileges. The walk up is just below the ridge line on the upper left part of the picture which  has several signs explaining the rules. . Below are pictures of the signs that are there. On the trail map it shows this area as permanently closed. This particular slope has produced size 3 avalanches and years ago produced a 3.5 summer avalanche that displaced the small lake at its base and destroyed a part of the forest know as Sluice Way which is skiers left of Cloud Nine. The terrain is very avalanche prone due to its aspect and shallow snow pack around the rocks. The lower slopes are very prone to isothermal avalanches in the spring when the sun bakes these slopes and even if it has not snowed for a week the sign line may be closed. . Many people have lost their skiing privileges for not obeying the very necessary closures in this area. Yesterday, January 11, 2012, 7 pass holders and one day ticket user found this out the hard way.  Know where you are going, if there is fresh powder to be had and your the first one there after the mountain has been opened for hours you are probably some where you should not be. It is your responsibility to know where you are!! If you are not sure ask before you jeopardise other people below you and your pass.

Pretty brief and to the point, if you see a sign that is shaped like a stop sign it might be a good idea to read it.

This is a sign on the south side of ladies First on the hike up along the ridge line.

Another sign on the same hike up that explains to the hikers what the policy is.

At 06:00 this morning the temperature at 2280 meters was-3 with 20-25 KPH from the SW. At 1550 meters temperature is -1 with a slight drop in the barometer. In the valley it is -5.

For the up to date avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Some models are showing snow for the week end but there is a slight possibility that it may forced to the south of us. Lets all think positively and hope we get more snow.

For more information on signs check out January 2 nd post.

Yesterday started out with the full moon setting behind the Pemberton Ice cap. It was cold but one of those amazing Whistler Days. It will be much warmer today. 

 The day ended with an equally beautiful sunset.

 

At 06:00 the temperature at 2280 m was -6 with 15-20 KPH winds from the south. At 1550 m it was -6.5 with the barometer on a slight decline. It was -5 in the valley. No new snow expected until the week end when the temperatures should stay below freezing in the valley and we will receive more of the white stuff.

The snow pack is stiffening up and for now has improved. For the latest avalanche advisory click her: Avalanche Advisory

Here is an interesting story associated with one of the fatal avalanches in the U.S. on January 1, 2012.
Click here for the story: Survival Story

This is a shot from last year when the cornices started growing and creating stress fractures. The cornices have become much larger over the past week and everyone should be looking for this as cooler temperatures may start to make them brittle. 

Another 2 cm fell last night. At 2280 meters the temperature is -13 with 45-55 KPH winds out of the NE. Wind chill at that elevation is -34 C. The temperatures will likely drop even more and the winds may pick up. At 1550 meters it is -7 with a rising barometer. In the valley it is -3.

There are pockets of wind slab on steep terrain that were reactive yesterday. Involvement but no burial.

Click here for the updated Avalanche Advisory: Avalanche Advisory

Tony Sittlinger Photo

Wind transport, terrain features and buried toboggans. Last week we had strong winds 85-145 KPH with 60 centimetres of snow. The distribution of the snow depends on a lot of factors. Wind speed, terrain features, slope angles, crystal size, and fetches. Snow scientists like Lacossa & Barber,2010 describe : "Snow transported by the wind tends to be deposited preferentially in the lee of topographic disturbances such as ridges and erode preferentially from flat areas where an adequate fetch to establish wind exists". Its amazing that 60 centimetres of snow and strong variable winds can bury these toboggans 3.75 meters deep. They are normally placed on end with the handles extended up leaning against the rock.

 Heidi Voelker Photo

It was a lot of work to get both of the toboggans dug out.

There have been several fatal avalanches in the U.S. and Canada in the past few days. It appears that not everywhere in the States is snow less. For information on the 3 fatality's in the U.S. click here: US Avalanche Fatalities

There has also been another avalanche related fatality in Golden B.C. Click here for link: Golden Avalanche

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here:  Avalanche Advisory

Click here for the snow report: Snow Report

At 2280 meters it was -4 with 80-90 KPH winds from the south. Maximum gust in the past 12 hours was 110 KPH. At 1550 meters it was 0 with a max temperature of +1 at 23:00 hours yesterday. The barometer is climbing at a steady rate. It is +4 in the valley.

Thanks to Jen McGuinness for the photo and explanation of the avalanche involvement at the Elderado Cabin on January 2, 2012

Another 2 centimetres fell last night. At 2280 meters the temperature was -5 winds south 40-50 KPH at 06:00. At 1550 meters the temperature was -1.5 and the barometer is dropping slightly. It is +1 in the valley and the freezing level is forcasted to rise.

For the up to date Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Last night the Conference centre was full of souls, young and old, to celebrate the life of Duncan MacKenzie. It was an enormous turnout. It was an emotional evening for all as we celebrated his charismatic energy, shared his incredible stories, and remembered a special mountain man who has left a permanent mark in our community. Rip for Chip.

One whole centimetre fell to the ground last night. At 06:00 the temperature at 2280 meters was -10, winds were 25 KPH from the south. At 1550 meters it was -7 and the barometer was on a slight rise. In the valley it was -1. Temperatures should rise slightly as the day progreses and we can expect light snow through out the day.

Please click here for the updated Avalanche Advisory:  Avalanche Advisory

If you are heading up the Duffy things are tightening up slowly but tread softly. Be diligent in your slope selection!!

I have this picture on my wall in the living room. It is a constant reminder of the consequences if you do get caught in a slab avalanche. Yesterday on the chair I loaded with 2 gentleman a bit younger than myself and we started talking about taking risks and when as an adult we change our attitude in taking risks. One said it was when he had children and the other said when he turned 40. I thought about that for a while and as simple as the reasons are I have to agree!!

Last night it snowed 2 cm at 1650 meters. At 2280 meters it was -10 with 25-25 KPH winds from the SE, with a max gust of 50 KPH. At 1550 meters it was -5.5 with a slight downward trend for the barometric pressure. It is 0 degrees in the valley.  Flurries today with freezing levels remaining near surface.

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

In the past 24 hours we received 30 cm of snow and strong winds from the south. There were many areas in the alpine where the drifts were over a meter deep. At 2280 meters the temperatures have dropped to -8.7, winds are 50-60 from the south, maximum gust was 85 KPH overnight and Maximum temperature since midnight was -7. At 1550 meters it is -4 with maximum since midnight of -2.3 and we received 10 cm of new snow overnight. . The barometer is on an upward trend. In the valley it is +2 and the freezing level should drop as the day progresses. After avalanche control is finished this morning there should be good skiing in the alpine. With explosive testing mostly size 1 and a few size 2 avalanches have occurred so far this morning.

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

If you are heading up to the Duffy there could be up to size 3 avalanches in some of the terrain. With this new snow and a combination of buried surface hoar and facets in the snow pack it is still very reactive. Play hard but be safe!!

This will not be you today! There will be no sunshine. The local mountains received 25 cm of new snow overnight at Pig Alley(1650M) at 05:30. Winds at 2280 meters were 85 KPH from the south, maximum gust was 145 KPH and the temperature is -3.5 with a Maximum temperature of -1.7 at 02:45. The freezing level is at 1500 meters and may rise as the storm continues through the day. At 1550 meters the present temperature is 0 and the maximum was + .5 at 03:30. There are strong winds associated with this system.  Expect slabs to develop as the snow and wind continue . It is +4 in the valley. Another 30 cm of snow can be expected in the alpine.

Click here for the up to date Avalanche Advisory:Avalanche Advisory

January 2, 2011 started out as a beautiful morning. Pink sky in the morning rescuers warning!! There were 2 incidents close to home yesterday and another in the Tyax Area near the Elderado Cabin. Unconfirmed report, but TLH Heliskiing responded to an avalanche involvement where a male ski tourer sustained a knee injury.  The other day I mentioned an avalanche involvement with Whistler Heli Ski. A guide and group where preparing for a pick up in the Ipsoot area and were struck by a slide, the guide was buried except for an extended arm and one quest was partially buried. There were no injuries. Please read the Avalanche Advisory, Click here: Avalanche Advisory

Ski Tourers please look, listen, steep terrain in the Sea to Sky Corridor is not where you want to be!!!!

We received 2 cm of new snow at Pig Alley (1650 Meters ). Temperature at 2280 meters was -7 with South winds at 35 KPH, Max gust last night was 80KPH. At 1550 Meters the temperature was -1.5 and the barometer is on a downward trend. The models have not been very reliable so I am refraining from any predictions.

At approximately 10:30 Hrs January 2, 2012 a group of back country skiers entered this steep chute in the Steep Creek area on the Duffy Lake Road initiating a size 2.5 avalanche. A 30 year old male was caught and carried 475 meters down the chute sustaining a facial and pelvis fracture. He was partially buried and dug out by his touring group. A female in the party also sustained a minor back injury. They were both flown to Whistler Heli Port and transported to the Whistler Clinic.

The foreground is where he ended up after the ride in the right hand S chute. His helmet was split down the centre and he would have likely sustained a major head injury if he had not been wearing it.  There were several natural class 2-3 slides in the high alpine area near this location.

 At approximately 14:00 Hrs a 33 year old male was involved in a size 2.5 avalanche at Sunshine Peak in the Bralorne Area. The fracture line can be seen in the open area on the knob lookers right. He was partially buried and  sustained bilateral tib-fib fractures. He was also flown to the Whistler Heli Port and transported from there to the Whistler clinic. His companions dug him out, one stayed with him and the other skied out to get help.

He was taken approximately 175 meters down a steep chute and ended up at the top of the run out zone.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere there's Signs!!!

75 people lost their passes last season for not respecting the signage. Signs are there for a reason. There are Permanent Closure signs, Avalanche Closure signs, Do not hike uphill signs, and just plain closed signs. If you are caught your skiing\riding privilege could be taken away for up to one full  season. Think about it!!!
If your not sure what revoked means look it up!

No new snow last night, so much for the models! It is -4.5 at 2280 Meters with 50 KPH winds from the South. Max gust last night was 80 KPH. At 1550 Meters temperature is 0 with a Maximum temperature of +1. In the valley it is -6. The models are still calling for snow all week. Expect flurries sometime today increasing to moderate snowfall by tonight. There could be as much as 15 cm by the end of today.

Click here for the latest Avalanche Advisory:Avalanche Advisory

Happy New Year. This clip is of an avalanche in low angle terrain below tree line near Golden B.C.


No new snow in the Whistler area last night. -8 at 2280 M, 15 KPH winds out of the South. Maximum wind last night was 40 KPH. It will warm up as the day progresses. Expect size 1-2 soft slabs with the facets still being reactive at tree line and above treeline. There are rumours of an avalanche involvement yesterday with Whistler Heli Skiing, but nothing confirmed. Flurries today , 10-15 for Monday, Flurries Tuesday and then Wednesday expect up to 50 Cm. Freezing levels will fluctuate for the next few days.

For more information on the Revelstoke avalanche click here and other incidents in  that area are linked on this page: Revelstoke Avalanche

For the latest WhistlerBlackcomb Avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory