Backcountry Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions for Gulmarg 28.1.2015

ALPINE 3,000 to 4,000m – Considerable

BELOW TREELINE Below 3,000m – Low

Primary Problem

A persistent slab is any slab formed over a persistent weak layer, in our case, depth hoar. These slabs are hard to predict, often are triggered from the middle or low on the slab, and can propagate over large areas and across terrain features traditionally thought of as safe zones, like ridges, benches, and low angle terrain. The problem can last for weeks or months.

 

Snowpack discussion

The avalanche danger rating for the alpine today is considerable, and low below tree line. A better word for considerable is serious. We have serious avalanche danger in the alpine right now. Persistent slab is the problem. Our current snowpack is >100cms, with 30-50 cms of depth hoar on the bottom, and ~70cm slab on top of that. Likely places for triggering avalanches are under rocks, or near thin areas of the slab on N,NE, and E facing aspects . Travel above tree line today is dangerous. The last storm also deposited deep wind slabs near ridgelines on isolated leeward slopes that are running on the old wind-hardened snow surface. Overnight wind loading at ridge tops and cross-loaded areas over the past three nights is bringing greater stress to our already fragile snowpack.

 

Weather Discussion for 3000m Partly cloudy with a chance of snow showers this afternoon.