Backcountry Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions for
Gulmarg 18.1.2015

ALPINE 3,000 to 4,000 meters > Today’s Danger Rating > MODERATE

 

 

 

MODERATE – Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

 

BELOW TREELINE Below 3,000 meters > Today’s Danger Rating > LOW

 

 

 

LOW – Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

                           Primary Problem
Wind slabs form where wind has deposited or drifted snow. You will find them on lee aspects, generally near ridge lines, around terrain features and in ‘cross-loaded’ features like vertical ridges, couloirs and gullies. Wind slabs may remain reactive for up to a week after the wind event has ended.

Secondary problem
A persistent slab is any slab formed over a persistent weak layer, in our case, depth hoar. These slabs are hard to predict, often are triggered from the middle or low on the slab, and can propagate over large areas and across terrain features traditionally thought of as safe zones, like ridges, benches, and low angle terrain. The problem can last for weeks or months.

Snowpack Discussion
I’ve shifted the danger rating to moderate in the alpine zone. Gondola Status: Phase 1 & Phase 2 will be open today. We will resume normal gondola hours starting tomorrow, Monday 19 January (0830 phase 1, 0900 phase 2). Slopes are settling and stability results are improving. Outside of the ski area, wind slabs are still prevalent on lee slopes near ridgelines, and mid-slope on NW,N,NE, and E facing slopes. On slopes steeper than 35 degrees near rocky ridgelines on the slopes listed above, wind slabs are still showing reactivity. Persistent slabs remain underneath the storm snow. Choose your terrain today, avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees on mid-slope ridgelines that look wind-textured and “loaded”. Ski slowly and safely until we have more snow as a base, there are a lot of rocks just underneath the snow.

Weather Discussion for 3000m
Clear skies and light southerly winds. Highs around 8 degrees with a low of -3. Current models are indicating a storm system moving in Tuesday evening.

Issued by: Gulmarg Ski Patrol

This advisory is issued as a public service. No patrol services or avalanche control take place outside of the ski area boundary.