Please excuse the technical difficulty.......
To complement recent posts, and the CAA Bulletin I would like to offer the
following observations/ information about the current snowpack and avalanche
hazard in the central Selkirk Mountains. These observations are a combination
of mine, other guides, and neighboring commercial operations and guides working
in the area. The general area these observations are gathered from is from the
West Glacier Park boundry, to the Columbia Valley (Revelstoke), and from the
Akokolex river in the South, to Carnes Creek in the North.
The current snowpack is exhibiting the dangerous combination of
instability (high liklihood of triggering), and large destructive potential
(Consequence). We have been witnessing an ongoing natural and explosive
triggered avalanche cycle for the past several days, which we expect to
continue through the weekend. The number of large, destructive and climax
avalanches we have observed over the last 48 hours has been humbling to say the
least. Several of these avalanches are in the Class 4 size, and are
overrunning known historical runouts. Many have destroyed mature timber to the
sides and below avalanche tracks and runnout zones. The fact that the local
highways have been closed off and on since Wednesday due to avalanche hazard
and control are further evidence of the problem
.
The avalanche activity has been widespread on all aspects and elevations,
from high alpine faces, to below tree line glades. Most of the slabs are
failing on the Christmas facet interface which is buried under between 80 and
150cm of recent storm snow. The overlying slab is very cohesive now, and
overlies this weaker, looser layer of sugary crystals; hence the large
propogations. Some of the lower elevation activity seems to be failing even
deeper into the snowpack on the late november and early december crust
interfaces and scrubbing to ground in some spots.
This afternoon the latest storm moved in with increasing winds and a
snowfall warning for the next 24-36 hours in the region. Expect the avalanche
activity to continue through the weekend.
Conservative terrain use or avoidance are critical to remaining safe in
the mountains this weekend. Avoid exposure to any overhead hazards and be
carefull even in heavy timber near runouts and fans. Skier triggering could
also be possible in terrain over 30 degrees.
Be carefull if you are out in the mountains this weeked!!
Jeff Honig
Mountain Guide
_______________________________________________
These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
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