Clearly, we again find ourselves in a winter where
persistent weak layers are playing a significant role in snowpack stability and
avalanche hazard. And it's not over yet. While the likelihood of triggering an
avalanche is significantly less than it was even a week ago and the number of
avalanches being reported are down significantly in the last few days, the size
of avalanches that are being triggered is remains quite large. This is typical
of a PWL avalanche cycle and right about now is when people often make serious
errors in judgement by assuming the problem is gone.
A couple of seasons ago, the CAC published a paper
I wrote about the 2007-2008 PWLs. I have posted that paper on the CAC website
at:
I used the above paper as the foundation for
another one that discusses this year's problems and focusses on risk management
advice. You can find this season's paper at:
Karl Klassen Mountain Guide
Public Avalanche Bulletins Manager
Canadian Avalanche Centre
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