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 5 days, we’ve received 53 cms of new snow on Mount Apharwat, accompanied by a significant wind event two nights ago that deposited an additional ~40cms on Northerly aspects in some locations above 3300 meters. This means we have a large slab of snow sitting on the old snow surface that has created skier-triggered avalanches two out of the last three days. The avalanche danger is Moderate today, because natural avalanches are unlikely, but it is a Scary Moderate. The reason why is because skier-triggered avalanches are certainly possible today.
You need to be aware that there are two weak layers right now in the top 100 cms of the snowpack, and both have the potential to avalanche today with a skier trigger. We will be out testing the snow pack today and seeing how these layers are starting to bond but it’s best to be conservative today, keep in mind you have the rest of the week with clear skies.
Choose to ride in groups in the forests of Gulmarg. http://www.deepsnowsafety.org/index.php/. We now have enough snow in the conifer forests above 3200 meters for skiers and riders to get trapped in tree wells. Read more about this phenomenon in the link above. It causes several fatalities each year in other ski regions of the globe.
Avalanche Problem #1-Wind Slab
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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.
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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.
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Weather Discussion (for 3250 meters): Light winds forecasted for most of the day today. Current models are showing light snowfall this coming Saturday with no precipitation for this week.
Gulmarg Ski Area (green zone) Timings for 1/2/2016:
Phase 1 – 0830 -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.