[MCR] Sunshine Village backcountry

Subject: [MCR] Sunshine Village backcountry
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 22:00:16 -0700
Average snowdepth ranges from 120-180 cm. The snowpack is generally well settled with a strong mid pack, however weak facets near the base of the snowpack continue to cause uncertainty. Banff Park avalanche danger is rated as MODERATE, meaning human triggering is possible in specific locations.

These locations are likely to be shallow snowpack areas, or areas with great variation in snowpack depth. Shallow snow is weak snow. South and west aspects exposed to wind scouring should be considered suspect. Avalanches may be hard to trigger, but if you hit the sweet spot it might be huge. Numerous, unusually large avalanches have been observed in the past three weeks.

Low angled terrain, and N aspects had soft snow. Suncrust on south and west aspects.

Observed a south aspect, 30 degree slope at treeline fracture 100 cm deep x 50 m wide and then move 40 cm before stopping. Fracture initiated from shallow snow beside the slope.

The pending deep freeze may reduce avalanche activity, but as I observed today - triggering is still very possible.

Grant Statham
Mountain Guide