I hope this finds Everyone enjoying the mid-April weather/snow conditions.
I spent today touring in the Decker Glacier area and thought some of the following observations may be helpful with planning your next outing.
By Saturday afternoon, some stormy cold weather had moved over the South Coast mountains and delivered some very good quality snow. The accompanying winds created some mildly cohesive/slabby snow just below ridges and steep bits of terrain that face north in the alpine regions.
Test results today showed a layer of recently buried crystals is trying to settle but can still perform given the appropriate trigger and type of terrain. The layer is buried up to 45cm below the snow surface. Two recreational ski-tourers triggered this layer in two separate incidents accidentally today. Both incidents occured one beside the other but at separate times. Here are some of the slope and incident details:
* north-facing slope in the alpine.
* previous winds were part of the recipe for making this part of the slope a little 'slabbier' (thicker/more cohesive).
* both avalanches occured where the slope becomes 'convex' (it rolls quite steeply at a certain point).
* the slope failed when the weight of a skier was introduced onto the steepest part of that rolling slope.
* both avalanches were not large enough to bury a person, but were both certainly capable of injuring a person.
Consider avoiding the following combinations right now: winded slopes with big, steep rolls on them.
Lastly, please consider something else of great importance before travelling in the backcountry by asking yourself this question: am I prepared to deal with a first-aid injury out there? Even places that we all regularly ski, that are relatively close to ski areas for example, can seem like you might as well be on the Moon should an injury occur. First aid courses are a starting point.... but then having the right gear..... and a really good emergency evacuation plan, that's communicated to everyone in the group, will help round things out.......
Wishing Everyone safe travels and a good Spring.
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Member
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
Internet Explorer 8 makes surfing easier. Get it now!