Backcountry Avalanche Report
Last Avalanche
Report Entered On :
Sunday, March 14, 2010 5:11:00 PM Report
Valid For Period Starting :
Monday, March 15, 2010 until further notice.
This report is for backcountry
terrain only. Skiing conditions for facility areas are not included
in this report.
For current trail conditions please see our
Trail Reports.
| Avalanche Danger Scale | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | | Alpine | High | High | High | | Treeline | Considerable | Considerable | Considerable | | Below Treeline | Considerable | Considerable | Considerable |
Discussion:
Mostly sunny with a bit of haze today in Kananaskis Country. The solar radiation was very strong during the blue sky periods and temperatures were in the -3 range at treeline. Winds were moderate out of the SW and continued to transport significant amounts of snow.
Up to 50cm of storm snow was deposited in the alpine last week. Due to the strong winds, there are now widespread windslab conditions in alpine and treeline areas. Soft and hard slabs have formed from 30 to 80cm deep on all aspects. Conditions are very touchy out there and forecasters are experiencing cracking, whumpfing and stability tests in the easy range. All of these factors point to conditions ripe for human-triggered avalanches. The most problematic layer continues to be the Feb 9 surface hoar, but areas of previously buried hard slab and sun crust are also concerning. Cornices have grown very large over the last few days. It is time to avoid skiing on or under steep terrain, and limit or eliminate exposure to overhead hazards, including runout zones.
At least two parties were very lucky today. A report of a size 3.0 avalanche near Black Prince today got very close to several skiers, including one person who was partially buried. The second incident occurred in Grizzly Bowl, near Tent Ridge. Two skiers triggered a size 2.5 avalanche on a steep E aspect just below treeline, which remotely triggered a second size 2.5 across the bowl. One member was injured and lost equipment after taking a long ride through sparse trees. Naturally triggered avalanche activity also continued today with several new slides up to size 3.0. Most of the bigger slides are running on N and E aspects, but avalanches have been occurring on all aspects and at all elevations, with many reaching the end of their runouts.
Forecasts are calling for continued warm and sunny conditions for the next few days. Freezing levels will rise to near 2000m. With the current slab conditions and warm weather skier-triggered avalanches are very likely. In addition, avalanche hazard will rise rapidly on solar aspects in the afternoons. Conservative route-finding and safe-travel practices are imperative during this time of instability.
Backcountry Travel Conditions:
At lower elevations watch for recently buried hazards. Alpine and treeline areas are mostly affected by windslab conditions. The best place to search for safe, good turns will be sheltered areas at lower elevations.
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In case you ever need to be rescued someday...click here for important
information:
Accidents happen—sometimes when you least expect
it. A twisted ankle, an unexpected illness, or getting caught
out in severe weather, and can’t make it out of the
backcountry. This is when you need help.
Calling for help:
In any emergency, call the Kananaskis Country Emergency
Services Centre for help. Dial 911 from a pay or cell phone—but
remember that cell phone coverage can be limited in many
locations in Kananaskis.
Tell the dispatcher that it’s an emergency in Kananaskis
Country. The dispatcher will then transfer you to the Kananaskis
Country Emergency Services Centre dispatch who will then
ask you a series of questions to get a better understanding
of your emergency. With satellite phones, dialing 911 may
transfer you to an emergency centre unfamiliar with Kananaskis,
so it’s important to call the local emergency number
of
403-591-7767. No matter how you make your call, you’ll
need to give:
• the
exact location of the emergency
• the nature of the accident and the seriousness of
any injuries
• your name and your call back number
• when the accident occurred
Once you have passed this information to the dispatcher,
a Kananaskis Country Public Safety Specialist will be notified,
and the best course of action will be determined.
On occasion, a helicopter may be used for a backcountry
rescue. The rescue staff in the helicopter are not able
to communicate with persons on the ground—so it’s
imperative that standard visual signals are used to reduce
confusion. Dispatchers will coach you how to make these
signals but knowing them before heading into the backcountry
is valuable.
Know before you go!
No one plans on having a bad day. Plan ahead, be prepared,
take care,
and enjoy the mountains…safely!
—the Kananaskis Country
Public Safety Team
Those on the ground with a satellite phone or with a cell phone
in range are best equipped to remain in communication with dispatch,
to reduce confusion as the helicopter approaches. We encourage
all parties who travel in the backcountry to be fully prepared
and plan to self rescue if the unexpected comes up
Winter
Survival (Click to see or close back)
Avalanche
Terrain Exposure | Backcountry & Ice Climbing (Click to see or close
back)
Important
Notice:
Snowpack structure and stability information
is determined from field analysis specific to snow study plot sites.
Snowpack structure and stability will vary as you travel throughout
mountainous terrain. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the
backcountry traveller to be self-sufficient in being able to perform
self-rescue should you, the traveller, be involved in an accident.
Also, backcountry travellers are responsible for obtaining their
own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds,
snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the
best possible awareness level.
|
For
further information:
|
Peter Lougheed
Park Visitor Centre:
403-591-6322 |
| Barrier
Information Visitor Centre:
403-673-3985
|
| |
| Emergency 24/7:
403-591-7767 or 911
|
| See our Avalanche Reports Archive here |
ISSUED BY: jm
To report on conditions
and avalanche observations, or incidents you may observe in Kananaskis
Country please contact Avalanche.Safety@gov.ab.ca
|
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