High Avalanche Risk leads forecasters to issue special warning
Posted Feb 24, 2012 7:37 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Authorities are warning people heading into the backcountry this weekend to go prepared.
The avalanche risk remains high and widespread in several regions along the Rockies affecting areas in Alberta such as Kananaskis Country, the South Rockies, Waterton Lakes National Park, Bighorn and Banff National Park.
Forecasters with the Canadian Avalanche Centre believe the clear, dry spell which covered the region in early February is to blame for the risk.
Manager of the Public Avalanche warning services, Karl Klassen, says it had a weakening effect on the snow at the time.
“The surface has been buried and left us with a very complex upper snowpack, with a number of weak layers,” he says. “Conditions are very tricky to manage right now.”
Klassen says users should make certain that the snow can hold their weight.
He compares it to conditions on the ocean, noting that people don’t put their boat in the water when they see crashing 10-metre waves.
Experts say anybody going to the backcountry this weekend should have extensive experience and training; they should also have a shovel, a probe and a transceiver.
The CAC also recommends enthusiasts take an avalanche preparedness course.
Snowpack stability changes constantly throughout the winter and the Canadian Avalanche Centre suggests recreational users keep an eye on the bulletins being issued by clicking here.
