Subject: December 10 2004 Canadian Avalanche Centre PAF

North Columbia Region

Forecast of avalanche danger beginning Friday, December 10, 2004:

Day:              Friday p.m.    Saturday         Sunday          Monday
Alpine:              High           High         CONSIDERABLE   Considerable
Treeline:            High       Considerable     CONSIDERABLE   Considerable
Below Treeline:  Considerable   Considerable       MODERATE       Moderate

Travel Advisory: On Thursday, The Canadian Avalanche Centre issued an
avalanche warning for the North Columbia region for the weekend. This means
that natural avalanches that may reach the valley bottom and large human
triggered avalanches are probable especially, in the Cariboo and northern
Monashee Mountains.

Avalanches:  In the Cariboos, the rain crust buried in November is weaker
than in the southern end of the forecast region. If the storm plays out we
expect numerous large avalanches on the deeply buried crust. Further
south, these large slides are also possible. In addition, numerous
avalanches are likely to initiate closer to the surface beneath soft wind
slabs or in the storm snow. Triggering an avalanche will remain probable
in steep terrain trough the weekend. To avoid avalanches, travel on low
angle terrain well away from avalanche paths.

Snowpack: Lots of new snow, fluctuations in temperature and wind during
the storm on Friday will create instabilities in the storm snow. Buried
about 100 to 170 cm is a rain crust with weak faceted snow directly above
it. Stability tests are showing that is has gained strength, but the load
of the storm may be enough to overload it. In certain locations all it
will take is your extra weight to break it and cause an avalanche.

Weather: A strong Pacific storm shifted course off the BC coast Friday
morning and took a more northern track. This means that the Cariboo
Mountains and northern Monashee Mountains will see 30 to 80 cm of snow and
some rain, while areas near Revelstoke will receive 30 to 40 cm. After the
cold front passes Saturday morning, expect a mostly sunny sky and
temperatures -5 to -10 through Monday.

Issued by: gj, aj