January 26, 2008
Whistler Avalanche conditions
January 26, 2008
Alpine: Moderate
Treeline: Low
Below Treeline: Low
Travel Advisory: Widespread wind affected snow is the dominant surface in the alpine. The cool temperatures have begun to weaken the snow under the surface layers and some of the windslab may begin reacting more readily to skier traffic. Loose cold new snow is loading over these layers and will sluff easily in steeper terrain. Keep in mind that large unpredictable avalanches are still very much a possibility in isolated areas.
Avalanche Activity: The December 4th crust continues to react to large triggers like cornices. Falling cornice chunks could trigger a deep slab. The north winds have built areas of hollow hard slab into unusual locations that will remain a concern and may get weaker with the continued cool conditions through this week.
Snowpack: Cold wind loaded new snow will accumulate over the old surfaces through the weekend. You will find scoured areas, sastrugi, stiff windslabs, and some thin sun-crust on solar exposures. The snow below these surface layers has begun to weaken with the persistent cool conditions of the past few days. This process is going to continue to weaken the surface layers over the next several days. The December 4th raincrust and facet crystal weakness is well buried in most areas. Its unpredictable nature is problematic and backcountry travelers should remain cautious. This persistent weakness is expected to be with us for some time to come.
Weather: Windy, cold conditions with moderate snowfall will last through Sunday. An arctic airmass is going to continue to push cold but unstable air our way into next week. Expect conditions to be particularly bitter on Monday
January 26, 2008
Alpine: Moderate
Treeline: Low
Below Treeline: Low
Travel Advisory: Widespread wind affected snow is the dominant surface in the alpine. The cool temperatures have begun to weaken the snow under the surface layers and some of the windslab may begin reacting more readily to skier traffic. Loose cold new snow is loading over these layers and will sluff easily in steeper terrain. Keep in mind that large unpredictable avalanches are still very much a possibility in isolated areas.
Avalanche Activity: The December 4th crust continues to react to large triggers like cornices. Falling cornice chunks could trigger a deep slab. The north winds have built areas of hollow hard slab into unusual locations that will remain a concern and may get weaker with the continued cool conditions through this week.
Snowpack: Cold wind loaded new snow will accumulate over the old surfaces through the weekend. You will find scoured areas, sastrugi, stiff windslabs, and some thin sun-crust on solar exposures. The snow below these surface layers has begun to weaken with the persistent cool conditions of the past few days. This process is going to continue to weaken the surface layers over the next several days. The December 4th raincrust and facet crystal weakness is well buried in most areas. Its unpredictable nature is problematic and backcountry travelers should remain cautious. This persistent weakness is expected to be with us for some time to come.
Weather: Windy, cold conditions with moderate snowfall will last through Sunday. An arctic airmass is going to continue to push cold but unstable air our way into next week. Expect conditions to be particularly bitter on Monday
