Friday, December 07, 2007

Kananaskis Country Backcountry Avalanche Information Report
Report valid: Friday, December 07, 2007 until further notice.

This report is for backcountry terrain only. Skiing conditions for facility areas are not 
included in this report. 

Avalanche Danger Scale for Alpine: Considerable, 
for Treeline: Considerable, 
for Below Treeline: Moderate.

Discussion:

The cold temperatures on Friday served as a vivid reminder that the cool Arctic air has once 
again moved into the forecast region.   Overnight lows have dropped as low as -26ºC which is a 
stark change from the light rain and above freezing temperatures we had seen earlier in the 
week.  The critical element to observe over the next 24hrs will be winds.  Lots of snow is 
available at treeline elevations and above for transport and as a result, avalanche danger has 
the potential to increase with moderate loading winds.  Throughout the region, up to 60cms of 
storm snow fell over the past week.  At the tail end of this storm, winds increased into the 
moderate range with temperatures climbing to above freezing in some areas.  These winds combined 
with the warmer temperatures promoted widespread soft slab development throughout the region and 
a natural avalanche cycle occurred.  The majority of avalanches that occurred failed down 
40-60cms at the interface between the storm and the underlying facet layer.   

Problems associated with this layer aren’t likely to go away anytime soon so be sure to evaluate 
this weakness as you move through terrain.  Likely locations to cause a failure in the underlying 
facets will be thin areas where there is little snow cover.  These areas are not so easy to locate 
with all the recent snow so choose conservative lines that are well away from potential slopes as 
you travel.  The region is looking much more wintery these days as a result of this past storm 
and Saturday’s weather is calling for continued cold temperatures with beautiful blue sunny skies.  

Due to the widespread problems associated with the basal facet layer and the cooler temperatures 
slowing settlement and strengthening at this interface, this will be a good weekend to stick to 
conservative lines and avoid steeper terrain especially along N and E aspects.  Human triggered 
avalanches are probable in the Alpine and at treeline.

Avalanche Observations:

Numerous loose snow avalanches up to size 2 were observed within the storm snow layers.  These 
slides initiated as small point releases from steep rocky terrain.  One noteable avalanche also 
occured a few days ago in the Tent ridge area well below treeline.  A small gully feature released 
along a popular backcountry trail burying the creek under 2m of snow.  Avoid terrain traps as you 
travel throughout the region and be continually evaluating the consequences of a slide, even a 
small slide as you travel.

Conditions:

Things are looking better out there but walking up through it is a different story.  Skiers should 
expect deep ski penetrations, 30-40cms, and in untracked terrain below treeline, expect to be 
working hard.  Many slopes look very inviting out there right now but don’t get lured into bigger 
terrain for that perfect turn.  Conditions are still touchy out there right now and caution should 
be employed.