[forecaster]

We are receiving reports that experienced backcountry travellers are pulling the plug early today and coming home due to avalanche concerns. Some folks are saying they are remote triggering 20 degree slopes from 70m away on surface hoar. Large natural avalanches (to size 3.5) are running in the alpine where windslabs have formed.

In the Purcells, Selkirks, and Monashees at least and maybe other places it looks like all those slopes that have been hanging on by their fingernails are letting go and it’s going off out there. A bit of info from the Cariboos suggests a similar problem might be brewing there as well.

It'll take time for this to settle down and residual problems will likely persist well after the initial period of very poor stability and obvious avalanche danger is over. This may be just the beginning, so heads up for the next week or so.

Check the CAC bulletins and blogs at: www.avalanche.ca

Karl Klassen
Canadian Avalanche Centre

[titanal]

Thanks for the heads up Karl