I hope this finds Everyone enjoying all the recent snow that we've had.
The snow that fell beginning Sunday and ended overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning gave the mountains 60cm+ of the white stuff in the Whistler area. All this snow fell on top of weak snow that consisted of sugary facets, crusts (on sunny aspects), and surface hoar (the solid/frozen equivalent of dew). During the peak of this storm, and immediately afterward, there was a widespread avalanche cycle in the mountains ~ all initiating on the above-noted weak layers. There were many slopes that did not release at that time - which makes one suspicious and a bit more cautious. Since then, the snowpack has settled a fair amount but much of the testing still indicates some inconsistency (for example: there is still 'whumpfing' of the snowpack in treeline areas ~ a sign that things are still sensitive in spots); it really depends upon where you are testing the snow. Some tests show strengthening and others highlight the need for a measure of caution. The confidence remains on the low side for large and steep slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Unfortunately, it looks like there isn't much time for all this snow to cure a little more because the next round of weather/snow/wind is knocking at the door at the time of this writing...... meaning that the hazard is about to increase again with the forecasted winds/snowfall.
The last snowfall is helping to add cover to the mountains but there are two other hazards that are still on my mind to-date...... first, there are still many rocks hiding just below the surface of the snow so please be careful of, for example, exiting off of the glaciers and into terrain with no glaciated cover...... second, there are still many open or partially-bridged crevasses. In low or flat light, these hazards are difficult to see. If you plan to be travelling in glaciated terrain this season, then it would be prudent to have access to a rope, glacier-rescue kit, and to seek the knowledge of how to use this kit effectively/preventitively.
It's snowing outside right now..... looks like winter may have finally arrived.......
Wishing Everyone safe travels,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Member
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
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