I spent the last 4 days at Red Heather and Elfin area in Garibaldi
Provincial Park. A significant storm system is passing through the region
with very high winds and heavy snowfalls. The wind started southerly
Thursday night and switched to northerly early Friday morning. As a result
slopes are loaded on multiple aspects. At tree line and below tree line
simple terrain was very touchy and reactive to skier triggering. That is,
30 degree slopes were avalanching with soft slabs size .5 to size 2. Crown lines
were from 25-50 cm. deep, and 50 meters wide. Several naturals with tree bomb
triggers on North West aspects were observed. Below tree line gulley's
were easily triggered propagating around ridge features. A layer of
burried surface hoar is suspected on the 50 cm crown line. Digging didn’t
reveal it, but conditions were not conducive to crystal recognition!
Blowing snow transport was ferocious! Test profiles on the 25cm crowns
showed a storm snow shear with very easy to easy results. The storm snow
depth was variable, but an average depth of 50 cm on the old solar crust.
Many lee features were 60 cm on the old surface.. The car had 40 cm on it
mid day Friday. Play safe this weekend.
Chris
Lawrence
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
CAA Professional
member
chris.lawrence@xxxxxxx
604 892-4686
mob