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.
Snowpack Discussion
11 March 2017 – Avalanche danger above Treeline (>3000m) is Considerable (3) today, natural avalanches possible, human triggered avalanches likely. The main concern is a poor bond at the new snow/old snow interface. We have greater than 95cms of new storm snow (a Storm Slab) sitting on top of a slippery crust that formed on many aspects during the most recent clear weather. At Treeline (2500-3000m), avalanche danger is Moderate (2), natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered avalanches possible. Dry loose avalanches likely on all aspects, with Storm Slab avalanches possible as well on larger unsupported slopes in steeper terrain. Below Treeline (<2500m), avalanche danger is Low (1), natural and human triggered avalanches unlikely. Watch out for very small dry loose avalanches in steeper terrain. Keep a close eye on each other, tree well immersion is possible again today.
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 – Storm Slab
Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. Storm-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.
You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side.
Danger Aspects
Weather Forecast (link:http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Gulmarg/6day/mid)
Ski Area Timings (11 March 2017)
Phase 1 – 8:15am – 4:30pm (last cabin 4:15pm)
Phase 2 – Not likely
Chair Lift – Possible, we are planning to board the second phase at 8:45am and go for avalanche control work to remove avalanche hazard hanging above the chairlift and then open it. Visibility and wind at G4 station will decide whether or not the chair lift can open today. If we can’t see we can’t do avalanche control work and the gondola cannot operate with strong winds.
Beacon Training
Today there are (0) beacons buried on Merry Shoulder. 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 March 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.