What does the scale above mean to you as a skier or rider in the Gulmarg backcountry? Read more here.
Snowpack Discussion
Recent observations revealed that our persistent weak layer is starting to bond to the surrounding snowpack. What this means is that our snowpack is strengthening with time.
We were still able to get planar shears on the layer yesterday with repeated tests, and initiation of that layer, but unable to get the slab to propagate. This is a good sign. It’s great to see skiers and riders getting out and taking advantage of the great weather and stable conditions right now. There is some nice skiing on North aspects right now, yet certainly variable in spots. I got a report of one skier injuring their knee in the back country recently. You certainly want to keep your speed down right now, and wait for more fresh, light density snow before skiing at speed.
Wind slabs exist beneath leeward ridgelines at the top of Apharwat and in mid slope cross-loaded terrain. It is unlikely you will trigger one of these slabs presently, but you should continue to consider them in your decision making. On Apharwat, they are beneath ridgetops on leeward slopes, and beneath ridgelines in mid slope areas.
If you were to trigger one over rocks or cliffs, it would likely carry you over that terrain and cause traumatic injury.
Avalanche Problem #1-Wind Slab
– 
Problem Description
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
– 
Problem Description
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): Light southerly winds today with no precipitation. The next storm system is more promising, and has pushed back to arrive on Friday.
Gulmarg Ski Area (green zone) Timings for 25/1/2016:
Phase 1 – 0830-1630 (last cabin at 1600)
Phase 2 – 0900-1600 (last cabin at 1530)
Chair Lift – 0900-1530 (last chair 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, 27 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.