STATE OF THE SNOWPACK UPDATE FOR WEST ARM PROVINCIAL PARK
Date: Dec 31 2022
Location: Evening Ridge, West Arm Provincial Park
Elevation/Aspect: 1950m/West
Sorry for the delay in getting this out - one of us has to take some time off - but back to our PSA!
The persistent weak layers continue to be a persistent issue as they can still be triggered by skiers. Remain diligent, stick to low angle terrain, and avoid areas of thin to thick snowpack coverage for the time being.
As always check Avalanche Canada before heading out
(Updated Jan 2 2023)
Avalanche Summary
Riders triggered numerous avalanches within the recent storm snow on Saturday, most being about 40 cm deep and at treeline to alpine elevations.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred between December 26th and 28th that included large and very large (size 2 to 3) storm slab and persistent slab avalanches. Most avalanches have released between 1800 and 2200 m. Although persistent slab avalanche activity has quieted in the past few days, riders could still trigger them.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30 to 40 cm of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust that extends up to 2000 m. Moist snow or a surface crust may be found below treeline and on steep sun-exposed slopes to ridge top.
Buried weak layers continue to show signs of instability. The two prominent layers of concern are a 60 to 80 cm deep layer of surface hoar and a crust on south aspects that was buried in mid-December and an 80 to 150 cm deep layer of surface hoar and facets that was buried in mid-November.