zombola
12-26-2014, 04:54 PM
Snowpack fragile after stormy weather leading up to Christmas
Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning for people in B.C.'s backcountry planning to take advantage of the holidays.
Recent snowfalls coupled with winds and warm temperatures have placed a heavy load on a fragile snowpack, Avalanche Canada forecaster Joe Lammers said in a news release. People could easily trigger numerous small avalanches, the release said.
"The wild swings in weather this season have left a mix of smooth crusts and persistent weak layers in our snowpack," Lammers said.
“This complex snowpack has the potential to surprise backcountry users with large avalanches even though riding conditions will be good. People were triggering slides even as they approached slopes."
The warnings have been issued for:
North Rockies.
Cariboos.
North Columbia.
South Columbia.
Kootenay-Boundary.
Purcells.
South Rockies.
Lizard and Flathead.
South Coast Inland regions.
There have been many natural, small avalanches in recent days that made bad conditions obvious, Lammers explained. But people may not realize the increased danger that lies ahead because cracks will be hidden under 60 to 100 centimetres of good powder snow.
"The lure of powder is really powerful, and once you start having a good time and getting those face shots in the powder, it's pretty easy to forget those underlying weaknesses exist," he said.
"But they are absolutely still there in many parts of the province and if they are triggered the resulting avalanche could be quite big."
Avalanche Canada recommends backcountry users avoid large, steep slopes; avoid travelling where other users are on slopes above them; and re-group in safe zones away from avalanche run-outs until conditions improve.
The organization also reminded backcountry users that everyone in the group must be equipped with essential avalanche safety equipment — an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel — and practice using these tools.
Lammers said there have already been some "close calls" resulting from sudden downward rushes of snow over the past month, but there have not been any fatalities.
On Wednesday, an avalanche came tumbling down on two snowmobilers outside of Whistler, but one man managed to safely pry out his buried friend. Some 15 people died across the province in 13 separate incidents last season.
cbc.ca
Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning for people in B.C.'s backcountry planning to take advantage of the holidays.
Recent snowfalls coupled with winds and warm temperatures have placed a heavy load on a fragile snowpack, Avalanche Canada forecaster Joe Lammers said in a news release. People could easily trigger numerous small avalanches, the release said.
"The wild swings in weather this season have left a mix of smooth crusts and persistent weak layers in our snowpack," Lammers said.
“This complex snowpack has the potential to surprise backcountry users with large avalanches even though riding conditions will be good. People were triggering slides even as they approached slopes."
The warnings have been issued for:
North Rockies.
Cariboos.
North Columbia.
South Columbia.
Kootenay-Boundary.
Purcells.
South Rockies.
Lizard and Flathead.
South Coast Inland regions.
There have been many natural, small avalanches in recent days that made bad conditions obvious, Lammers explained. But people may not realize the increased danger that lies ahead because cracks will be hidden under 60 to 100 centimetres of good powder snow.
"The lure of powder is really powerful, and once you start having a good time and getting those face shots in the powder, it's pretty easy to forget those underlying weaknesses exist," he said.
"But they are absolutely still there in many parts of the province and if they are triggered the resulting avalanche could be quite big."
Avalanche Canada recommends backcountry users avoid large, steep slopes; avoid travelling where other users are on slopes above them; and re-group in safe zones away from avalanche run-outs until conditions improve.
The organization also reminded backcountry users that everyone in the group must be equipped with essential avalanche safety equipment — an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel — and practice using these tools.
Lammers said there have already been some "close calls" resulting from sudden downward rushes of snow over the past month, but there have not been any fatalities.
On Wednesday, an avalanche came tumbling down on two snowmobilers outside of Whistler, but one man managed to safely pry out his buried friend. Some 15 people died across the province in 13 separate incidents last season.
cbc.ca