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Backcountry Avalanche advisory

As of Wednesday, April 2, 2008 Alpine : Moderate Treeline : Low Below Treeline : Low Travel Advisory : Flurries have continued to add to the low density surface layers sitting over various old surfaces including isolated areas of windslab.

As of Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Alpine : Moderate

Treeline : Low

Below Treeline : Low

Travel Advisory : Flurries have continued to add to the low density surface layers sitting over various old surfaces including isolated areas of windslab. Keep in mind that a soft slab in motion may have the potential to trigger a deeper release within the underlying storm snow layers in some isolated areas. Given the available loose surface snow, any sustained periods of sunshine on solar aspects will rapidly produce sluffing that could entrain large amounts of snow before coming to a halt. As always, cornices have been quite reactive, so stay well back from the edges.

Avalanche Activity : The cold, loose new snow sluffs with skiing although it has not been entraining. Solar aspects have also been sluffing when the sun pokes out. There have been isolated reports of avalanches being triggered on the March 10 crust that is anywhere from 60-100cm below the surface.

Snowpack : The low density snow that we have been receiving in the alpine is settling, although there are areas of windslab in the alpine. There are several weak melt-freeze crusts in the upper 30cm of the snowpack on direct solar aspects. The March 10th raincrust is now buried up to 1 metre deep on some lee slopes in the alpine, but still lurks on the surface in any wind scoured terrain.

Weather : Mostly sunny for the next few days with seasonal temperatures expected.

Travel with a partner and be equipped and prepared for self-rescue. Watch out for winch-cats or snowmobile traffic if you re-enter the area after operating hours.

– Blackcomb Snow Safety