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Was teaching a Capilano College ski touring course
in Garibaldi Park (out of the Elfin Lakes) for the past 5 days (March
19-23). The storm system we are in right now dumped a meter of new
snow since the 21st. The height of snow at
the Elfin Cabin is probably over 5 meters (our best guess).
SE winds and continuous moderate to heavy snow fall were the
features of the previous 2 days. Today the temperature increased and by 3pm
it was rain and sleet to 5000'.
Yesterday I ski cut a steep, treeline, NW
aspect, lee side roll and it broke out as a 50-70cm deep slab
running on the March 13 surface hoar.
Today in clearing weather we saw 2 size 2 slab
natural avalanches both on the same N aspects that appeared to
have run late in the storm on the March 13 Sh. Also
today we dropped a 10 cubic meter cornice on a N aspect slope and
it resulted in only a moist surface snow sluff. During a fairly brief
clearing we got to see the alpine and it did not show any sizable
natural avalanche activity.
As of this afternoon the Hazard at treeline in
the Paul Ridge area was Considerable and the Stability was Fair. The
new snow was rapidly stabilizing. But with the warming temps and rain
this afternoon and evening I bet the stability and hazard is
actively worsening. Seems the March 13 surface hoar on N aspects
is the thing to watch. S aspects where only balling, with small point
releases.
The Diamond Head road was dirt with
a very little amount of slush for the last 2 km this
afternoon.
Dave Sarkany, Ski
Guide
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