A lot of new snow and some strong winds recently have produced a widespread natural avalanche cycle, most notably around treeline and into the alpine, that has occured over the past two days with many different types of terrain features producing various sizes of slab avalanches (many large).
Some of the type of terrain that had performed included steep, rocky, and 'unsupported' terrain (slopes that terminate above a cliffband or steep, bulging slopes, for example). Terrain in the lee of ridges (where winds have been depositing snow) and terrain with rolls (convex) had released. Also, steep-sided glacial morraines had released and steeply-walled gullies, too. Activity had occured on many aspects.
Of note, there was 'whumpfing' in shallow, rocky ridgecrest areas and around islands of trees on westerly and south-westerly slopes. 'Whumpfing' indicates that the snowpack is still fragile in places.
The snowpack remains sensitive in many locations and it's especially important to be wary of slopes that have not avalanched. Be very careful about large slopes, exposure to slopes hanging above you, and slopes below cornices. It is prudent to keep to safe terrain right now until all this new snow has had time to improve. What makes the current situation a little tricky right now is that there is some 'variability' in the snowpack ~ meaning that the snow at different elevations/aspects is displaying slightly different characteristics because of the different layering in the snowcover; essentially, there isn't quite enough uniformity, yet. And, much of the terrain out there is still ripe for producing sizeable avalanches. Please continue to enjoy the hills safely by selecting terrain without exposure to avalanches.....
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Member
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
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