- Date
- Saturday, February 25, 2017
- Tagged under
Near misses in the North Rockies and Cariboos
We’ve been alerted to a number of recent near misses and large avalanches in the North Rockies and shallower snowpack parts of the Cariboos. Some areas of concern are the mountains around Valemount, McBride, Prince George, Barkerville, and Pine Pass. You’ll find links to specific incidents below.
Dangerous Season
These incidents serve as a reminder that the snowpack structure in shallow snowpack areas is inherently weak. While there are some differences between these incidents (for example, the incident near Barkerville appears to be a storm slab, while the others appear to involve deep persistent weak layers), they point towards a common theme: it’s a dangerous season in shallow snowpack areas this winter.
Staying safe in affected areas requires a good head and a steady hand. There are some winters we have to accept the need to scale things back – not just for one day or a weekend, but for the whole season. When added to previous near misses from earlier on in the season, the evidence is clear – this is one of those seasons.
Notable avalanches
February 25, 2017
Clemina Creek
Two sled triggered size 2 peristent slab avalanches. See MIN report for more details.
Weekend of Feb 18/19, 2017
Tumbler Ridge: Bull Moose
Weekend of Feb 18/19, 2017
Clemina Creek: Avalanche Alley
Third-hand report of a large (possibly size 3) avalanche on a NE aspect resulting in a full burial.
Weekend of Feb 18/19, 2017
Allen Creek: Avalanche Alley
Third-hand report of an avalanche (possibly size 2) resulting in a burial.
Feb 18, 2017
Mackenzie: Mt. Morfee
Deep persistent slab partially buried a rider and snowmobile. Released on basal facets 150 cm deep on north-facing alpine feature. See MIN report for more details and Facebook for photos.
Feb 18, 2017
Barkerville: 45 Bowl
Storm slab buried a snowmobile.
See Facebook for photos.
Feb 17, 2017
Valemount: Mt. Pierre Elliot Trudeau
Size 3 deep persistent slab remotely triggered by skier on ridgetop, no involvement.
See MIN report for more details.
Feb 16, 2017
East of Kinbasket Lake
Size 2.5 deep persistent slab remotely triggered by skier on a north-facing alpine slope. No involvement.
See MIN report for more details.
Feb 16, 2017
Pine Pass: Hasler
Natural deep persistent slab avalanche in large alpine feature. See MIN report for more details.
