Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions for Gulmarg 27.2.2015

Snowpack Discussion:

A wind slab or a loose snow avalanche (sluff) can serve as a trigger for a persistent slab. A wind slab avalanche that steps down into the old snow could produce a large and dangerous slide. Travel with caution in the alpine zone today. The avalanche danger remains Considerable in the alpine, and Moderate below treeline. Likely places to trigger avalanches today are on ridgelines near thin areas of slabs, near rocks in top loaded areas, near convexities in mid slope cross-loaded terrain, and below cornices. Use the avalanche danger rose above to see the likely aspects where you can trigger wind slabs and potentially the persistent slab at the bottom of our snowpack. Moderate winds continued wind slab formation yesterday on the top of Mount Apharwat. The old wait a day or two and its safe rule does not apply this season. Use an objective mindset, dig pits on similar aspects in safe pit locations where you plan to ski. Keep in mind that persistent slab can be triggered in terrain that is generally thought of as safe (benches, low angle terrain, and ridgelines). Lastly, several test pits on northerly aspects at 3000m revealed easy to moderate Q1 shears on a crust layer (CTE6 down 65cm SC, CTM12 down 62cm SC).

Weather Discussion for 3000m:

Clear this morning with some clouds rolling in this afternoon. Light southerly winds. Our next snow is forecasted to arrive tomorrow night and will continue into Monday.

Gulmarg Ski Area Timings (Green Zone)

Phase 1 : 0830-1600

Chair Lift: 0900-1500

Phase 2: Closed