The unpredictable nature of avalanches

This was our last lap at 4pm on stair way to heaven chair at Kicking horse on the very last day of the season. None of us were drunk, however our packs were waiting at the bottom of the lift and full of beer. This was one of the VERY few days I didn't wear my tranceiver. This ran right beside us as we were riding down. IT started from the very highest point in shot which gets wind loaded. However, this area has many nasty traverses carved across the upper section and the whole area must get a million or more tracks thru out the season, and it gets groomed too. Thankfully like the big in bound slide at Fernie Lizard bowl 5 years ago, it was very late in the day and no one was caught. As usual patrol were right there.

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1271782685

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1271782749

Hey paul, can't you see that area is closed!

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1271783076

This is the permanent closure "ozone" from the same day for those that are interested.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1271783178

I take it that one in bounds is a wet slide too? What was the weather the last couple days leading up to that? I am worried about (want to predict) wet slabs on our midwinter weak layer or even our ground facets this spring. Was the skiing good on that aspect when it happened or was it slush already?

weather was way warm, had been for days. +20c in town by day and minimal over nite freeze at the hill. The snow was very wet and sticky, one of my friendz rode just off a cat track and sunk to her knees, was funny. Many of the less heavily trafficed areas that see excessive sun were so punchy that we could barely stomp the landings off the cat tracks. On the gondola ride up terminator ridge had many small wet point releases which were cool to watch but this is an amazing wake up call, anywhere, anytime!!!

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weather was way warm, had been for days. +20c in town by day and minimal over nite freeze at the hill. The snow was very wet and sticky, one of my friendz rode just off a cat track and sunk to her knees, was funny. Many of the less heavily trafficed areas that see excessive sun were so punchy that we could barely stomp the landings off the cat tracks.

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Sounds similar to when the big wet slab ripped at A Basin and killed a fellow. Somewhat comforting to know these wet slabs happen mostly during conditions that I don't want to be anywhere near snow. Same was found in a study done in the U.S. Glacier National Park. They studied wet slabs and found that it generally takes several hot days with no freeze at night to get big climax slides to release. I am always wondering though, with weak layers like we have this year, can it happen during a perfect corn cycle?

I love trying to find good firm corn snow in the Spring, but good thing I HATE mashed potatoes I guess.

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Originally Posted by Shadam

I didn't wear my tranceiver.

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Wot?
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One thing that is fairly predictable about avalanches is that after a couple of non-freezing nights, avalanche activity is almost certain as Tone said. And once the snow has been saturated with meltwater, the amount of compaction that occurred over the season means nothing. The A-Basin slide that killed a local several years ago was on a bump run.

I want a NY Asian Escort on my next trip in the backcountry please? Can you arrange for tomorrow on such short notice please? Willing to pay in Dinar. Extra for greek.

MTM... instead of wasting your time posting to a spammer, why don't you take less time to report it so I can delete it like others did?