Backcountry Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions for Gulmarg 16.1.2015
ALPINE – 3,000 to 4,000 meters
Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.
BELOW TREELINE – below 3,000 meters
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
Today’s danger rating remains considerable in the alpine zone. Yesterday’s observations and control work in the ski area once again revealed numerous natural avalanches and ski cutting released more dangerous avalanches that ran most of their paths on N, NE slopes. Gondola Status: Phase 1 of the gondola is open to skiing today. Phase 2 of the gondola will open at 12pm. We do not recommend skiing or riding today. Wind slabs are very prevalent on lee slopes near ridgelines, and mid-slope on NW,N,NE, and E facing slopes. These slabs can injure or kill you.
Persistent slabs also remain underneath the recent storm snow. They are likely anywhere old snow remains from early December. If these slabs avalanche, they will likely kill the rider that has triggered them. The snowpack is dangerous right now. Don’t go into the backcountry until the snow has more time to heal.
Weather discussion – for 3000m > Mostly clear today with light southwesterly winds. Another storm is forecasted for next week.
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.