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
11 February 2017 – Avalanche danger above 3000 meters is Moderate (2) today. Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered avalanches possible. Winds in past days have formed very shallow Wind Slabs beneath ridge tops and in mid slope isolated terrain features on Northwest to Northeast aspects. Extended Column Tests yesterday revealed bonding of unstable layers within the most recent storm snow 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 especially on Southerly aspects (Sunny) during the warmest hours of the day. Wet loose avalanches possible, small in size, and fairly unlikely. I haven’t added Wet Loose to the avalanche problems below because we are still a couple of weeks away from it being a real problem. Read more about today’s avalanche problem below.
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.
Snow Observations from 10 February, 2017:
On a North aspect at 3960 meters (ALPINE >3000m) today, 3:45pm 10 February 2017, an Extended Column Test revealed a score of ECTN22 Q3 down 10cms, ECTN26 Q3 down 22cms, ECTN28 Q3 down 28 cms on a 38 degree slope. These are layers from the most recent storm snow. ECTN scores are generally indicative of stability, however Wind Slab remains on the advisory for Northwest to Northeast aspects due to active wind loading this afternoon forming additional layers on top. Height of snow: 170cms. Boot penetration: 40 cms. Sky: Clear. Active wind loading observed at ridgetops from the Southwest. Avalanche danger above 3000 meters remains Moderate due to active wind loading.
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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 11/2/2017:
Phase 1 – 8:15am – 4:30 pm (last cabin at 4:15pm)
Phase 2 – 8:45am – 4:00 pm (last cabin at 3:45pm)
Chair Lift – 8:45am – 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.