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.

Hikers and skinners meet along the way, activity in the back country is growing at a rapid rate! File Photo

At 2280 meters the temperature was -3 as of 06:00, winds were 0-10 KPH from the SSW.
At 1550 meters the temperature was 0, 100% relative humidity and the barometer is on a slight decline.
In the valley it was +5.

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

CAC & Simon Fraser University Snowmobile Survey: Mountain Snowmobiling

CAC user survey: User Feedback

News from Avalanche Lab: Update

The Alps are experiencing a heat wave: Austria

Above the cloud layer its a beautiful morning. Check out the web cams.

A 10 cm moist mixture of graupel and plate stellars from Thursday early Friday Morning.  Made for a nice skiing surface first thing Friday morning on the right terrain. The surface was 0 Deg at 10:30 SW aspect.

At 2280 meters the temperature was -5 as of 06:00, winds were 10-30 KPH from the ESE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -2, 99 % relative humidity and the barometer is steady.
In the valley it is +3.

For the updated Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

From the Blackcomb ski patrol: Avalanche Signage

Glide: Definition

If you used services from the Canadian Avalanche Centre click here: User Feedback

From the Rockies, Avalanche pictures from the winter : Parks Site

One of many photos you can view from the above link. Up track still evident in debris. Wow!?

Moist (0 Deg) melt freeze grains below 10 cm of the new snow Friday morning.  Isothermal upper snow pack.


Snow on the ground is a dynamic medium. The properties and characteristics of fallen snow change constantly as a function of energy fluxes, wind, moisture, water vapor, and pressure. For example, the time window for good skiing in mid-winter may last several days after a fresh snowfall in cold continental climates. During spring conditions the time window may be only an hour or two as rock-hard boilerplate turns to ideal corn conditions before additional energy inputs turns the snowpack to unskiable slush. Physical properties of snow change over time. Furthermore, snow properties can vary widely over small distances, both vertically within a snowpack and horizontally over space.

From a ski tourer yesterday, Sc size 1 15 cm  easily propagated and wide. Evidence of isolated avalanches to size 2 going on March 27 Th interface.

Mt Currie still has lots of snow for some spectacular spring avalanches!

At 2280 meters the temperature is -6 as of 06:00, winds were 20-35 KPH from the SE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was -3, 99 % relative humidity and the barometer is rising.
In the valley it is +2. Will have snow amounts after 08:00. A trace of snow at 1550 over night.

For the updated avalanche advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Another paper on Grain Growth Theories: Isothermal Research

From the CAA, wet snow avalanches: Spring Conditions

Na cycle in Blackcomb Bowl yesterday.    Tony Sittlinger Photos

Cornice Control in Blackcomb Bowl

Visibility has been an issue for the past few days. Hopefully the weather will change today!!

At 2280 meters the temperature was -1.5 as of 06:00, winds were 20-40 KPH from the SSE.
At 1550 meters the temperature was 0, 100 % relative humidity and the barometer is on a slight downward trend. In the valley it is +6. 2 cm recorded at 1550, but 18.5 mil of precipitation fell since yesterday. Around 10 cm of new in the alpine. Wet size 1's at treeline and possibly wet size 2's in the alpine but visibility has been poor.

Today Jamie Selda and I skied from Blackcomb to just above Naden Pass to drop off some groceries. The alpine lifts on Blackcomb were closed due to avalanche hazard brought on my warm temperatures. (Whistler Mountain is now closed for the season) So we started skinning from the bottom of the 7^th Heaven lift, and at tree line the snow was isothermal, deeper then I could easily feel with my hand. Above 1900m there was a thin crust that held the upper pack together well, except on sunlit aspects where I could ski cut small sluffs in steep terrain. This crust held through the day. High clouds and a cooler temps made for idea fast traverse conditions. Recent warm conditions have caused many avalanches off many sunlit features. It started snowing with a strong southerly wind at 6pm. By 8pm, as we left the alpine, there was about 5cm of new snow accumulated on the old surface. Precip was rain below 1700m.     

Dave Sarkany SG From April 25, 2012 ACMG Blog

For the latest Avalanche Advisory click here: Avalanche Advisory

Still no body recoveries from Kashmir Avalanche: Still Searching

Snow Pack properties of unstable wet snow slopes: Swiss Research

A wet snow avalanche


If the weather is too warm for too long the weakening of the snow bonds will occur to greater depths. In addition melt water may lubricate buried layers and interfaces which can serve as failure plains. Rain and/or warm winds can also contribute to this process. Crown lines of resulting slides may be quite deep and even go to the ground. These slides are generally unsurvivable. Typically the weather leading up to such an avalanche cycle will be very warm for an extended time (at least a couple days) without any refreezing of the snow pack overnight. Be wary if such a warm spell occurs. These conditions usually lead to numerous large slides, not isolated events. Word generally gets around that such a cycle is underway - check the avalanche advisories.