Snowpack Discussion
Our persistent slab problem remains. Yesterday we dug two pits, one on a North aspect, and the other on an East aspect. The East aspect showed the persistent slab to be bonding to the underlying snow pack at the weak layer due to solar and ambient diurnal warming over the past 4 days. On the North aspect, we were still able to locate a clean shear plane at the persistent weak layer interface. The results were improving, with a higher number taps for both Compression Tests and Extended Column Tests, but the layer still exhibits the ability to not only initiate, but also propagate on a clean planar surface.
Read more below in the Avalanche Problems section below about the nature of Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs. Choose terrain today that avoids exposure to high slope angles and large open bowls. This especially applies to Northwest-North-Northeast aspects above 3800m.
Wind slab exist on East-Northeast-North-Northwest-West aspects. It is unlikely that you’ll trigger one of these slabs and cause it to avalanche, however, it should go into your decision-making for the day. If you trigger a thin wind slab and it carries you over rocks or a cliff, it can cause traumatic injury. Choose terrain in wind-loaded areas at the ridge-tops and mid-slope that avoids exposing you to this consequence.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Slab – 
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Slab – 
Release of a cohesive layer of soft to hard snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab. The best ways to manage the risk from Persistent Slabs is to make conservative terrain choices. They can be triggered by light loads and weeks after the last storm. The slabs often propagate in surprising and unpredictable ways. This makes this problem difficult to predict and manage and requires a wide safety buffer to handle the uncertainty.
Weather Discussion (for 3250 meters): Pulses of light snowfall are forecasted for this morning, with radar not showing much moisture to talk about (if any). Light to moderate wind gusts from the Southwest forecasted for today. Temperatures will remain below freezing. The next storm system is more promising, and forecasted to arrive on the 27th January 2016.
Gulmarg Ski Area (green zone) Timings for 19/1/2016:
Phase 1 – 0830-1630 (last load at 1600)
Phase 2 – 0900-1600 (last load at 1530)
Chair Lift – 0900-1530 (last load at 1500)
Height of Snow at Top of Gondola: 275cms
Height of Snow at Mid Station of Gondola: 76cms
Height of Snow at Base of Gondola: 50cms
Beacon Training Center on Merry Shoulder is OPEN with 2 BEACONS. Come by Gulmarg ski patrol base at mid mountain to learn the location of the beacon training center and hone your search skills and times.
Next avalanche talk is Wednesday, 20 January, 2016 at 7:30pm at Hotel Hilltop. Hotel Hilltop is located across from the ice skating rink in Gulmarg meadow. Talks will continue every Wednesday night at 7:30 pm through 30 March, 2016.