Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast Expired - 02/18/2023

Above 2,500ftConsiderable

1,500 to 2,500ftModerate

Below 1,500ftModerate

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Wind Slab:

The Bottom Line: Fresh snow is available for transport by forecasted SE winds. Lingering wind slabs could also still be reactive.  N NE and NW slopes may be harboring windslabs, there are cornices building on ridges, and gullies/ other terrain features maybe cross loaded. The poor structure is widespread, additional stress from this weeks snow has being added, don’t be the trigger that tips the scale. Control what you can: human factor and terrain. 

 

Cold fluffy snow is beautiful and fun, but can also produce dry-loose and slough. Keep this in check.

 

Terrain management continues to be critical! Be prepared for an avalanche that could step down to deeper instabilities, creating a slide that could break very wide, and take out all the “safe” zones on a slope. Be extra careful not to group up in places that an avalanche can reach. Be diligent and patient, practice good group management, communication and decision making. Do not ski/ride on the same slope as another group. Travel one at a time or with enough spacing so that only one person is exposed to an avalanche path at any one time. 

 

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Persistent Slab:

Protected means preserved. When seeking out wind protected zone, remember that wind-protected pockets may be harboring these dangerous weak layers. 

 

Buried Surface Hoar Layers:

  • Jan 25th melt freeze crust is 1-2′ deep (with recent winds and snow, there is a lot of variability on depth of this widespread layer) sitting on top of it are near surface facets, and buried surface hoar from Feb 1-4.
  • January 10th surface hoar is now buried about 3-4 feet deep. Reports of remote-triggered activity on this layer Jan 27-28.
  • The Dec 31 surface hoar layer is present in the Transitional and Pass zones, about 4+ft deep. This layer has been active in pits, and caused some natural avalanches in early January

Photo from Jan 28, Surface hoar NE aspect, Haines Pass

Photo taken on Jan 12 of Surface Hoar on a W aspect near treeline in the Haines Pass.

 

 

 

Jan 22- Propagating result down 45 cm, 2,300′ SW-aspect, 7-Mi Haines Chilkat Pass.

 

 

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 3

Deep Slab:

Deep weak layers under strong layers are persistent in the pass. A wide safety margin is necessary. This setup could produce avalanches that break wider than expected, and are most likely to be triggered from shallow trigger points like rocks or small trees or a smaller slide that steps down to these lower instabilities.  You could ride the same slope numerous times until that right spot produces a large destructive slide.

 

Old Melt Layers and Crusts:

  • Cold temperatures and a shallow, wind scoured early season snowpack created conditions for depth hoar growth.
  • A buried persistent weak layer about 6+ feet deep (The “Big Warmup” Layer, Formed Nov 17th) is still a concern. Numerous natural avalanches observed 1/27 likely on this layer.

 

 

Photos shows 6-9mm advanced depth hoar at the ground down 180cm with ECTP 25 down 80cm on facets below a crust in the Haines Pass Zone at 4,000ft on a NE-aspect.

 

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

 

Feb 9th: Glide cracks ~3000-3400′ in the transitional zone on N, NE aspects. Also notable was observation of reloading of bed surfaces on previous slides.

Feb 1st:

Isolated fresh D2 wind slab avalanches in cross-loaded gullies near the Little Jarvis/Klehini area.

January 25-29th:

Reports of two snowmachine-triggered slides at the Pass, one was this D2 up West Nadahini Creek above 4,000′ failed 2-7′ deep on an isolated terrain feature. (likely slid on buried surface hoar)

Recent Natural activity

R4 D2.5 at the Pass, likely ran on buried surface Hoar, stepped down to depth hoar at ground. Photo by David Morisette, via MIN.

D3 NE aspect 6000′ near Nadahini with widespread propagation.

D3 cycle between 3000-6000ft. All aspects. Most were unsupported slopes or rocky areas. Crowns 1-3m deep, ran just above ground.

 

Multiple D2 that ran about 2ft deep. In wind protected areas.

 

2000-3000ft widespread full depth wet slabs and glide avys, all aspects.

D2 N aspect 4300ft sub bowl of Old Faithful failed down to near ground, Was confined to a smaller pocket.

D3 on SW aspect at Lutak Inlet, ran down to the water

D4 on Takhin Ridge

Weather

Forecast:

Overcast with light snow throughout the day, accumulation about an inch. Temps in the low 20s. Light SE winds with moderate gusts.

 

Recent Weather Summary:

  • Incremental snow (more in Lutak zone) since Feb 5th, periods of moderate south winds
  • Feb 1-4 Near surface facets on top of crust from Jan 25 warm-up
  • Jan 17-26 brought around 5″ of precip (3-5feet of new snow above 3000ft), strong SE winds, and a noticeable warmup
  • Surface Hoar and Near Surface Facet growth Jan 8-10
  • A strong front brought 24-30″ of snow above 2000ft on Jan 2nd.
  • There was widespread Surface Hoar growth on Dec 31st.
  • Dec 23-26 brought 10-18″ of new snow and a sharp rise in temperatures from -10F to 30F along with variable winds
  • Dec 16-23 brought strong NW winds and arctic cold temperatures
  • Dec 15 brought warmth/light rain up to 2600ftComplete Season Histories:     Transitional Zone     Lutak Zone

 

Additional Information

WEAR A HELMET! Be careful of rocks and hidden hazards. Be prepared for crevasses when on a glacier. 

Are your riding companions trained and practiced in avalanche rescue? Everyone in your group needs to have a beacon, shovel, and probe, and know how to use them. Our mountains have very limited cell coverage, carry an emergency communication device and enough gear to spend the night.

Avalanche Canada’s Daily Process Flow – Utilize this everyday you go out in the mountains.

Announcements

Click the +Full Forecast link below for each zone to read more.  If you see any recent natural avalanche activity, or signs of instability please submit an observation.