What does the scale above mean to you as a skier or snowboarder in the Gulmarg backcountry? Remember, this advisory is for the Gulmarg backcountry, which means the terrain that is outside of Gulmarg Ski Area. The red areas in the photo below are the Gulmarg backcountry, and the green area is Gulmarg Ski Area. This advisory does not apply to the green zone ski area. Read more here.
For ski area updates during the day please join Gulmarg Avalanche Conditions page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2jowwOM.
Snowpack Discussion
9 February 2017 – Avalanche danger above 3000 meters is Moderate (2) today. Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered avalanches possible. Moderate to Strong winds in past days have formed very shallow reactive Wind Slabs beneath ridgetops and in mid slope isolated terrain features on Northwest to Northeast aspects. Extended Column Tests yesterday revealed these wind slabs to be bonding to the underlying snowpack with ECTN results. At Treeline (~3000 meters) and Below Treeline, Avalanche danger is Low (1). Natural avalanches are unlikely, human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Normal caution is advised. Watch out for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Read more about today’s avalanche problems below. Avalanche danger could go to Considerable (3) today above 3000 meters with the dusting of new snow we’ve received in the past 24 hours getting blown by the wind. Keep an eye out for active wind loading and slab formation today. With no wind loading the avalanche danger above 3000 meters will remain Moderate (2).
http://www.deepsnowsafety.org/index.php/. We now have enough snow in the conifer forests 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
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a 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.
Snowpit Observations from 8 February, 2017:
On an East aspect at 3215 meters (ALPINE >3000m) today, 12:45pm 8 February 2017, an Extended Column Test revealed a score of ECTN8 Q2 down 6cms, ECTN12 Q2 down 10cms, ECTN19 Q2 down 30 cms on a 30 degree slope. These are wind deposited layers from the most recent storm that are on the current avalanche advisory. ECTN scores are generally indicative of stability, however Wind Slab remains on the advisory for Northwest to Northeast aspects due to spatial variability (a single snowpit is not an accurate representation of all of Mount Apharwat.) Height of snow: 210cms. Boot penetration: 55 cms.
——————-
On an East aspect at 2990 meters (TREELINE – 2500-3000m) a compression test and an Extended Column Test yielded no results (ECTX) at 1:20pm on a 35 degree slope. The avalanche danger remains Low (1) for TREELINE(2500-3000m) and BELOW TREELINE (<2500m). A graupel layer down 90 cms (photo below) failed upon prying the column after each test was complete (Q3). Height of Snow: 180 cms. Boot penetration: 45cms.
——————-
The data above is for drawing your own conclusions about the snowpack in Gulmarg, and also for you to have a better understanding of where the avalanche danger ratings are coming from here in Gulmarg. Snow pit data, daily observations at the snow study plot, and daily field observations. gulmarg-avalanche-advisory.com
Gulmarg Ski Area (green zone) Timings for 7/2/2017:
Phase 1 – 7:30am – 4:30 pm (last cabin at 4:15pm)
Phase 2 – 8:00am – 4:00 pm (last cabin at 3:45pm)
Chair Lift – 8:00am – 4:00 pm (last chair at 3:45pm)
Beacon Training
Today there are (1) beacons buried on Merry Shoulder today. The beacon training area here in Gulmarg is located on Merry Shoulder. The orange dot (see photo below) indicates where a red flag is next to a large birch tree. This is the “point last seen”. Start your search here. We have one, two, and three beacons buried here daily. Please do not dig up the beacons, simply cycle through your Primary (signal) search, Secondary (flux line) search, Pinpoint search, and then Probing. A probe strike indicates the end of your search. If you’re interested in learning more, please come by Gulmarg Ski Patrol base at the bottom of the chair lift.
Next avalanche talk is Tuesday, 14 February 2017 at 7:30pm at Pine Palace Resort. Pine Palace Resort is located in Gulmarg meadow. Talks will continue every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm through 28 March, 2017.