Backcountry Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions for Gulmarg 10.2.2015

 

ALPINE   3,000 to 4,000 meters – CONSIDERABLE  

 

BELOW TREELINE Below 3,000 meters – MODERATE

             

                                                       

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.

 

Secondary Problem

Wind slabs form where wind has deposited or drifted snow. You will find them on lee aspects, generally near ridgelines, around terrain features and in ‘cross-loaded’ features like vertical ridges, couloirs and gullies. Wind slabs may remain reactive for up to a week after the wind event has ended.

 

Snowpack discussion

The avalanche danger rating is considerable (serious) for today in the alpine zone, and moderate below tree line. Persistent slab is the primary problem, and wind slab the secondary problem. Our snowpack is 30-50cms of depth hoar with a large slab sitting on top of it that is 70-150cms thick. Test pits in recent days have shown this layer to be difficult to trigger with compression or the weight of a skier, but has shown reactivity with explosives control, and with new storm snow load.

Southwesterly winds caused wind loading below ridgelines and in cross-loaded areas mid slope in past days. There were no less than 5 wind slab avalanches reported by skiers in the alpine yesterday. All were near ridge lines in top-loaded areas, and all ran on the new snow/old snow interface. It’s possible that if you trigger a wind slab today at the top of one of the back country bowls of Mt. Apharwat, that the additional load will be the trigger for the avalanche to step down to the deeper persistent weak depth hoar layer. This will cause an avalanche that you will likely not survive.  The most likely time of day for this to occur will be in early afternoon at the warmest part of the day, but can occur at any time of the day.  Likely places where you can trigger wind slabs today are on lee and cross-loaded areas of Northwest, North, Northeast, and East facing slopes. Our persistent slab problem exists on these same aspects. Our snowpack is still relatively shallow, and rocks that normally could be anchor points in many seasons here, are serving as weak points where you can trigger avalanches. Other likely places to trigger avalanches are on convexities at the apex of top-loaded ridgelines on Mount Apharwat, near mid-slope ridgelines where the snowpack is shallow, and in cross-loaded gullies mid-slope. There have been fatalities at Gulmarg in past seasons where other groups entered a zone with another group far below them, triggering a slide that ran down the path and killed the skiers below them. Remember, when you ride and ski outside of the ski area boundary in Gulmarg, you must be aware of not only the people in your group, but also the people in other groups around you. Dropping in on top of a group below you is not ok. Wait until they are completely clear of the route, or choose another objective. Do not ski above other skiers in the backcountry.  Backcountry travel in the alpine bowls of Mount Apharwat is not recommended today.

 

Weather Discussion for 3000m

Clear today with light southerly winds. Next snowfall is forecasted for late this weekend into early next week and appears to have significant snow accumulation potential.

 

Ski Area Information

Phase 2 – opening after control work is complete

Phase 1 – open at 830

Chair lift – opening after control work is complete

Beacon, shovel, and probe is required to access phase 2 of Gulmarg gondola.