What does the scale above mean to you as a skier or rider in the Gulmarg backcountry? Read more here.
Snowpack Discussion
Over the past 36 hours, we have received continual moderate to strong winds at the 3800-4200m elevation on Mount Apharwat. These winds were accompanied by heavier density snow fall. These two factors are a prime recipe for building dense wind slabs just beneath ridge tops on leeward aspects. 100-120cms beneath the surface of the snow, there is a weak crust layer that we have been watching for a few weeks and was producing clean shears before this storm began two days ago. If you trigger a wind slab today in the backcountry, it may step down to this persistent weak crust layer, creating a medium to large-sized avalanche that you will likely not survive. Today is a day to ski in the ski area, and if you choose to go in the backcountry, go below treeline, well away from the massive bowls of Mount Apharwat. The rest of the week is clearing up, give today for the snow to adjust to its new load, and be careful of tree wells and other terrain traps below treeline. Choose to ski and ride in groups. Keep in mind that the Gulmarg Avalanche Advisory chooses the two most important avalanche problems for each day. Loose snow avalanches are still possible today. Read more here about Snow Immersion Suffocation. Skiing and snowboarding in low angle powder in the forest seems safe, but you do need to keep a close eye on your partners and stay within eyesight in case they do fall into a tree well. Please read more in the green link above to increase your knowledge on this subject.
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 to moderate southerly winds today. A slight chance of snow showers in the late afternoon/evening. Current models are showing sunny skies until next weekend after today.
Gulmarg Ski Area (green zone) Timings for 30/1/2016:
Phase 1 – 0900 -1630 (last cabin at 1600)
Phase 2 – Will open after control work if visibility allows.
Chair Lift – Will open after control work if visibility allows.
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, 3 February, 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.