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Blue River-Cariboos Jan 7, 2010
The big storm over the past three days dropped 60 cm of new snow at TL elevations in the North Blue River drainage of the Cariboos. The natural avalanche cycle peaked yesterday afternoon with natural loose avalanches running at all elevations up to size 2.0. With limited visibility at TL and above some avalanches may be larger.
There was a mid-storm shear releasing naturally at 15cm on anything skiable including cut banks, tree humps etc..There is also a buried SH layer lurking in sheltered locations TL and BTL, now down around 70-80cm.
Temperatures stayed below zero at 1225m and began to drop last night but as the storm began to clear the wind picked up with very strong gusts BTL. Expect TL and ALP to have areas of soft windslab with lot's of lee loading and big new cornices trying to find their equilibrium. Naturals could be heard running throughout the valley yesterday up high.
Trail breaking is arduous.
Time to stay out of avalanche terrain until the storm snow tightens up and it has a chance to stabilize. Heed that wise advise about Blue Sky Syndrome..a bright sunny powder day is headed our way!
Dana Foster Ludwig Ski Guide CAA Professional Member Snowy Mountain Alpine Tours Blue River - Clearwater BC P 250 674 2988 www.snowymountain.ca
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