Ski cut on Ipsoot Sunday, Sz 2 on stellars over WSL from Feb 24, 12

At 2280 meters the temperature was -11.5, as of 06:00. Winds were 15-25 KPH from the South. At 1550 meters the temperature was -7.5, 95 % relative humidity and the barometer is rising slightly. In the valley it is -3. Received 9cm overnight at catskinner and 10 cm at pig alley.  Most of the precipitation went south.

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Andor Tari Photo:  9 Th hole, Sa looks like a 40 cm crown, not a good place to get caught.

Click here for some footage of avalanche control on our BC highways: Highways

Slide yesterday near Russet lake.                                                                                                       Lee Harrison Photo

Hi Wayne, we were skiing today on lower Russett Ridge, north facing slope @ approx 5800ft, just getting into treeline and popped a soft slab with 40cm crown, 30 m wide and ran 150 -200metres, the depth of the debris at the runout was close to 2m, there is a slight convexity at the crown and the slope was well loaded.  Thanks for your blog.




At 2280 meters the temperature was - 15.5  at 06:00 hrs. The winds were 25-35 KPH from the SSE. At 1550 meters the temperature was - 10.5, 81 % relative humidity and the barometer is on a downward trend. No new snow overnight. In the valley it is - 9. Will start snowing today, we could see as much as 20 cm by tomorrow morning. 


Word on the street is  that there is some buried surface hoar towards the Hurley area, Duffy is still producing size 1 slides on preserved stellars, and the Whistler area is similar. 






For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

It was a very busy Saturday past, with many stories of avalanche activity. Through the grapevine there was an involvement on the Duffy where a skier fractured their leg after hitting a tree and getting partially buried. Would like to find out more about this involvement?? Two snowshoers were involved in a size .5 slide on Decker Saturday and heli evacuated on Sunday.  Two skiers were involved in a size 2 avalanche behind Flute on Saturday,  in some very steep terrain. One individual suffered a knee injury and was air lifted out of the gully on Sunday. Check out the image below.

Thanks to Braden Douglas for the google image of where the slide was. Hard to see but the individual ended up just above where the marked area becomes thin. The fracture line is at the top with their tracks approaching the crown line. 


For an East Coast avalanche check this out: Tuckermans Ravine

Below is some information on Avalanche Dynamics:

When an avalanche occurs, as the snow slides down the slope any slab present begins to fragment into increasingly smaller tumbling fragments. If the fragments become small enough the avalanche takes on the characteristics of a fluid. When sufficiently fine particles are present they can become airborne and, given a sufficient quantity of airborne snow, this portion of the avalanche can become separated from the bulk of the avalanche and travel a greater distance as a powder snow avalanche. Scientific studies using radar, following the 1999 Galtür avalanche disaster, confirmed suspicions that a saltation layer forms between the surface and the airborne components of an avalanche, which can also separate from the bulk of the avalanche.

Driving a (non-airborne) avalanche is the component of the avalanche's weight parallel to the slope; as the avalanche progresses any unstable snow in its path will tend to become incorporated, so increasing the overall weight. This force will increase as the steepness of the slope increases, and diminish as the slope flattens. Resisting this are a number of components that are thought to interact with each other: the friction between the avalanche and the surface beneath; friction between the air and snow within the fluid; fluid-dynamic drag at the leading edge of the avalanche; shear resistance between the avalanche and the air through which it is passing, and shear resistance between the fragments within the avalanche itself. An avalanche will continue to accelerate until the resistance exceeds the forward force.

New snow is always a nice thing!! But can also be a bad thing. Check out the story below from yesterday.

At 2280 meters the temperature was - 15.5 at 06:00 hrs. Winds were 10-15 KPH from the SSE. At 1550 meters the temperature was - 15, 75 % relative humidity, and the barometer is steady. No new snow overnight. In the valley it is - 13.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory  click here: Avalanche Advisory

It seems that most of the activity yesterday was down around 50 cm on preserved stellars.

Another avalanche fatality on February 25, 2012 bringing the total to 21 fatalities for the 2011-2012 season in the U.S.

An avalanche near Marias Pass, Mont., killed one man and injured another on Saturday.

The men were riding snow bikes in a drainage area off Skyland Road when the avalanche was triggered.

Rescue teams from the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, the Glacier County Sheriff's Office, Glacier County Search and Rescue and North Valley Search and Rescue combined their efforts in search of the victim. The body was recovered about 3:45 p.m. MST (5:45 p.m. EST).

Injuries to the second man were minor.

The death on Saturday marks the third by avalanche this month in northwestern Montana. There have been seven avalanche fatalities in Montana this winter.

"The foothills to the west of the avalanche site recorded up to 6 inches of snow on Saturday evening," said AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.

Fresh snow on top of existing snow increases the risk of avalanches.

Hi Wayne, 

On our way back from Decker saw a group(5??) hiking across the top of Disease Ridge.
As we got around the corner and were about to drop in to lower Body Bag we looked back to see 3 of the group sideslipping/billygoating through the rocks.
It's a poor zoomed in photo but you can get an idea.
30m above the bottom of the slide is the guy who got dragged through the rocks above him after his friend cut off a slab from the top unsupported section. This ran, caught him while he was in the middle section, and took him through.
He has another 'friend' in the middle section who didn't get taken down.
We waited till his friend made it down to him, they appeared alright. 
Other than that all we could make out was that they had no packs.

Couple other observations from today.
Looked like mostly natural activity from the Friday storm. 
Size 1.5-2 in the area of Don't Swill( the entrance and also left of the wind lip across the traverse to Husume) under last nights snow.
Similar size on Decker N Face,Pattison NW Face size 2. Both visible under last nights snow.
9th hole size 2 also under last nights snow. Ski cut only produced surface sluff.  Fairly firm in the top 1/3.

Jamie May

Thanks Jamie for the information!!!



Some information on another slide in The US. Click here: February 22 Nd Avalanche

For some information on triggers read this:

Triggers

Avalanches are always caused by an external stress on the snow pack; they are not random or spontaneous events. Natural triggers of avalanches include additional precipitation, radiative and convective heating, rock fall, ice fall, and other sudden impacts; however, even a snow pack held at a constant temperature, pressure, and humidity will evolve over time and develop stresses, often from the downslope creep of the snow pack. Human triggers of avalanches include skiers, snowmobiles, and controlled explosive work. The triggering stress load can be either localized to the failure point, or remote. Localized triggers of avalanches are typified by point releases from solar heated rocks. Remotely triggered avalanches occur when a tensile stress wave is transmitted through the slab to the start zone, once the stress wave reaches the start zone a fracture initiates and propagates the failure. Of exceptional note is that avalanches can not only entrain additional snow within the failing slab, but can also, given the sufficient accumulation of overburden due to a smaller avalanche, step down and trigger deeper slab instabilities that would be more resilient against smaller stresses. The triggering of avalanches is an example of critical phenomenon.

Dean's Adieu caught 2 ski tourers last Saturday. They recovered their gear but this picture is very similar to the one in Volume 4 of Avalanche Accidents in Canada.  Stay away from the rocks just above the normal traverse!!  This slope has taken a life. Thanks to Charles Ratzlaff for this photo.




Hi Wayne,

I've been reading your blog religiously this winter, great resource. Thought as I saw my first wild avalanche today and it was at your place of work that you might be interested in hearing about it.

Occured on Blackcomb Glacier at about 1:30pm, triggered from the ridgeline above the Glacier bootpack on the extreme lookers left above where the windlip forms. Two guys had bootpacked straight up the extreme lookers right of the slope, traversed along the top of the ridge and dropped. First rider made one turn and a slab pulled out which seemed to be composed mostly of the new storm snow, no more than 15cm deep. Skier attempted to ride out of the slide but was overtaken and ended up in the toe of the debris field buried about waist deep. He was able to self extricate uninjured but down a ski. His partner skied down the path and checked him over, both of them shaken up but otherwise OK. Slide and debris ran literally a metre past my feet as I was standing next to the bootpack buckling in. My friend and I had just discussed how we were going to stay inside the gates as the snow seemed really touchy.

Hope this is of interest to you and relevant. Thanks for the work you're doing with the blog.

Ryan Gardiner


At 2280 meters the temperature was -16 as of 06:00. Winds were 40-50KPH from the NE. At 1550 meters the temperature was - 11, 81 % humidity and the barometer is rising slowly. 14 cm of new snow fell there last night and 11 cm was recorded at pig alley. In the valley it is -4. The forecast is very favourable for playing today, but with all the new snow size 1-2.5 soft slabs can be expected. This morning heli bombing is producing size 1-2 avalanches in the new snow. With the north winds expect reverse loading.

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

For a quick clip from an avalanche set off at Red Pass in Colorado ( language warning) click here: Avalanche

Toby Tortorelli Photo: Skier getting caught in the Brandywine area, lost a ski after hitting trees on February 21 st. 

ALOHA!!  Just got back from Maui, had some technical issues and all the pre posts I had planned stopped on Tuesday.  Was also going to post from there but was in some remote areas camping.  Will be back up and getting the latest information out by tomorrow.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -9 at 06:00. Winds were 3-5 KPH from the South. At 1550 meters the temperature was - 4.5, 98 % humidity, and the barometer is on the rise. At the cat skinner weather plot 11 cm of new snow fell overnight and at pig alley there was 13 cm recorded. In the valley it is -1. Today will be cloudy, with light winds and flurries.

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Nice area in the Rutherford Valley.

For the latest weather update click here: Weather

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

An explanation of why there have been so many avalanches in the US this year: Snow pack

Guess where this is?

For the updated weather information click here: Weather

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

A large Avalanche from New Zealand: Avalanche from _ _ _ _

The tusk can be beautiful in most light!

For the updated weather click here: Weather

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Another video on the Avalanche Conditions they are dealing with in the US: Hard Slabs

If only it was like this every day!!

For the updated weather report click here: Weather

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

We are lucky that our Avalanche Terrain is so far from any buildings, here is a clip form Europe a few years ago when a large avalanche destroyed some buildings: Carnage

Nice and cold!!

For the latest weather update click here: Weather


For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory


More information on the 13 th avalanche fatality in the US this 2011-2012 season:

A39-year-old man died Thursday in an avalanche north of Wolf Creek Ski Area.

The man, whose identity was not released Thursday, lived near Copper Mountain, said Mineral County Sheriff Fred Hosselkus. He was originally from either Australia or New Zealand, he said.

The slide occurred about 12:30 p.m. in an area commonly used by backcountry skiers, Hosselkus said. The area is accessible via the Lobo parking lot near the summit of Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. Highway 160.

Three men were skiing together when the avalanche was triggered, he said.

One man escaped the slide without injury, and another suffered a knee injury and two teeth knocked out, Hosselkus said.

The men did not use Wolf Creek’s ski lifts to access the backcountry, he said.

He described them as experienced backcountry skiers with proper equipment. One of them used a cellphone to report the slide.

Emergency workers had not removed the man from the mountain as of 4:30 p.m.

“We’re going to do what we can to get him out (Thursday), if not we’ll do it in the morning,” he said.

The men took turns going to the bottom.

The first man made it to the bottom, the second man made a couple of turns before triggering the avalanche, and the avalanche cut above the third man at top and sucked him into it, Hosselkus said.

The second man to go down is the one who died, he said.

It is the sixth avalanche-related fatality this winter in Colorado, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Someone was killed earlier this week near Telluride.

Hosselkus reminded backcountry enthusiasts to be aware of snow conditions.

“The avalanche danger is really high right now,” he said.

Yet another avalanche incident, a little closer to home in Stevens Pass :Stevens Pass Avalanche

Yesterday an Avalanche on the Blackomb Rescue Road caused by riders using permanently closed terrain required a search of the debris.

If you follow the road down from the top of the rescue road, after the first corner there are several slopes that come down onto the road. Yesterday it appears that several people skied into the upper slope into this avalanche path causing a size 2 slide to go over the road.  It happened after the control teams had finished opening Spanky's Ladder and Blackcomb Glacier. Luckily a patrol team came across it just as the area was being opened. They initiated a search of the debris and  no one was buried. It required that Show Case T Bar be closed for a while and if it had been bigger would have closed Spanky's Ladder as well. People who disregard the permanent closures are not only jeopardising themselves but other skiers\riders as well. They can also cause delays in opening terrain if man power resources have to be used to deal with the situation.  Permanent closures are there for a reason, hopefully Karma will catch up to  these sign line violators and they will loose their riding privileges eliminating them from the issue.

On another note there was an involvement yesterday on Deans Adieu where a group lost some equipment in a size 2 slide.
Deans Adieu is just above the normal skin track up to Spearhead Peak.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -12, the wind was 20-30 KPH from the South as of 06:45. At 1550 meters the temperature was -7.5, 94 % relative humidity, and the barometer was steady. A trace of new snow was reported at that elevation. In the valley it is 0. 


For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Thanks to Devin Steif for this photo, last week solar aspects were producing loose snow avalanches. One feature that is always active during warm temperatures is the moraine at the bottom of the picture. That particular moraine is a producer and always use caution if you find yourself in  this zone.

Hot off the press, here is a size 2 out of MC Bowl from yesterday. Trying to get more information!!

With 22 cm of new snow it should be a great day!! Thanks to Jonathan Effa for this shot of Atwell Peak and some field observations from Wednesday: 

A few observations (maybe a bit outdated now) from Wednesday. Skied the E-face of Mt Atwell. There was about 10cm of new low density snow siting on top of a variety of surfaces through out the Garibaldi area. Surface hoar to ~1cm forming on the top up to ~1800m. SW-SE aspects showed signs of older LS avalanches but it stayed colder Wednesday and I didn't see anything come down (debris preceded the latest snow). The winds were calm most of the day (sheltered on the east side). Fairly hard wind slab in places near ridge line. Some pinwheeling starting in the early afternoon (definitely heading towards spring time).  Good luck with the leg. 

Thanks Jon, its on the mend!

Also some field observations from the Duffy, thanks to Lee Lau for taking the time to send this Thursday:

@1850m, ski pen is 10cms, boot pen 20cms.  top 10 is fist on settled snow.  Winds L from SE.  Assorted signs of severe warming  event when temps went + 12 in alpine from inversion in form of pinwheels and solar refreeze even on  NW aspect.  Snow was ok; travel fast but man it needs more snow
S aspects of Rohr naturally cleansed.
No surf hoar to speak of at TL or BTL





At 2280 meters the temperature was -9 at 07:00, the winds were 45-65 KPH from the SSE. At 1550 meters it was -5, 98% humidity and the barometer is on the decline. At Catskinner weather plot there was 22 cm of new snow. In the valley it is 0. Winds should taper off as the day moves along with flurries. Looks like it could be an awesome day for touring tomorrow. For today expect size 1-2 soft slabs running fast and far. Deep as 40 cm. Reactive.




For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Sorry to report another avalanche fatality near Snowmass Colorado:

On Wednesday January, 18th, a fatal avalanche accident occurred in the backcountry on Burnt Mountain near the Snowmass ski area. The avalanche occurred in a gully feature on a northeast aspect at 10,490 feet. The small slope that slid averaged approximately 45 degrees, and was close to 50 degrees near the crown. The avalanche was 14 feet wide, ran 30 vertical feet, and was 2 feet deep at the crown. A soft slab approximately 1 foot thick sat on top of a very reactive surface hoar layer. We believe the avalanche started with the soft slab failing on the surface hoar before stepping down into the underlying weak faceted snow. There were 3 skiers in the group involved in the accident. Skier 1 entered the gully from the top and skied down the bottom of the gully and past the accident site without incident. Skier 2 entered further down down slope and triggered a small soft slab that deposited debris in the bottom of the gully, but was not caught in the debris. Skier 2 also skied further down the gully without incident. Skier 3 entered further down slope from Skier 2 and became stuck in avalanche debris from Skier 2's soft slab and weak faceted snow at the the bottom of the gully. While struggling to extricate himself, he triggered a soft slab which came down from above and buried him. The avalanche was very small but the debris was funneled into the narrow gully, which allowed a small amount of snow to pile up deeply enough to bury the victim. Skiers 1 and 2 responded to the accident by ascending back up the gully to the burial location. They were able to extricate Skier 3, with the help of several snowboarders who came upon the scene responding to calls for help. Unfortunately, attempts to resuscitate Skier 3 were unsuccessful.

If it is not going to dump, bring on the sun!! Looks like some snow is on the way for tomorrow morning. 

At 2280 meters the temperature was - 5 at 06:00. Winds were 15-20 KPH from the SE. At 1550 meters it was -5, the relative humidity was 94% and the barometer is on the decent. No new snow overnight. In the valley it is -1. Expect small soft slabs out there today from the 10 cm from yesterday.

Any field observations or photos would be appreciated, its hard to get content out there when we are in these dry conditions. Even photos from the past would be great to talk about!!

More snowmobile\avalanche footage, the guy on the rocks is lucky to still be there: Sledding Euro Style

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

Bella Coola Couloir Skiing

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

Another stellar day is upon us.


At 2280 meters the temperature as of 06:00 was -7, winds 5-10 KPH out of the WSW. At 1550 meters the temperature was -6, 75 % humidity, and the barometer is rising. In the valley it is -6.

Size 1 loose snow avalanches have been observed on solar aspects. People are still skiing in closed areas, the lure of fresh snow is always a concern when there is a snow draught. Its like playing Russian Roulette, if you get caught you may not be skiing\boarding for an extended amount of time. Read the signs!!!

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Avalanche control using the daisy bell, click here to view clip: Daisy Bell