6 March 2017

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 Advisory page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2jowwOM.

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gulmarg avalanche

Snowpack Discussion

6 March 2017 – Avalanche danger today above Treeline (>3000m) is Moderate (2). Natural avalanches unlikely, human-triggered avalanches possible. The primary concern is small wind slabs above 3800 meters on Northwest to Northeast aspects, and beneath the ridgetops at the tops of start zones in the backcountry bowls of Mount Apharwat. To manage the dangers of this hazard, choose slopes without terrain traps (gullies, rocks, trees) beneath. A small wind slab could carry you over and into terrain traps causing traumatic injury. Additionally, very small wet loose avalanches were observed yesterday on Solar aspects below 3700 meters. Avalanche danger at Treeline and Below is Low (1). Normal caution is advised. Watch out for unstable Wet Loose snow on steeper Solar aspects during the warmest hours of the day today below 3700 meters.

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.

http://mountainhub.com/

Mountain-Hub-Gulmarg
See daily snow observations, snow pits, and data from the Gulmarg Avalanche Advisory. Sign up for a free Mountain Hub account.

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.

Danger Aspects

Weather Forecast (link:http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Gulmarg/6day/mid)