Haines Avalanche Center
Above 2,500ftConsiderable
1,500 to 2,500ftConsiderable
Below 1,500ftModerate
Degrees of Avalanche Danger
Avalanche Problems
Problem 1
The Bottom Line: New snow, wind loading, and warming temperatures increase the likelihood of triggering one of the many persistent or deep persistent slabs instabilities. The weak layers closer to the top of the snowpack could provide feedback, unlike the deeper. N NE slopes could be harboring windslabs, cornices building on ridges, and gullies/ other terrain features maybe cross loaded.
Only expose one person at a time to slopes 30 degrees and steeper. 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. Avoid thin areas above 3000ft where there may be lingering depth hoar at the ground. Also, avoid steep gullies/couloirs/cliffy areas that may contain lingering pockets of deep slab instability. Be diligent and patient, practice good group management, communication and decision making.
Jan 25th melt freeze crust is ~ 2-4′ deep (with recent winds, 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.
Surface Hoar observed in sheltered N-NE areas of Lutak Feb 1.
Pit from Feb 1 in Lutak reveals a layer cake of a snowpack.
Likelihood:
- Almost Certain
- Very Likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
Size:
- Historic
- Very Large
- Large
- Small
Trend
- Increasing
- Steady
- Decreasing
Problem 2
An unlikely to trigger, but high consequence deep slab layer remains. The “Big Warm-Up layer” from Nov 17th is not to be forgotten about. Although currently dormant, a smaller slide triggered on the upper snowpack could step down and trigger this deadly beast.
Lutak, Feb 4 PST 70/130 End down 130 rounding faceted polycrystals.
Likelihood:
- Almost Certain
- Very Likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
Size:
- Historic
- Very Large
- Large
- Small
Trend
- Increasing
- Steady
- Decreasing
Avalanche Activity
This week: Glide cracks ~3000-3400′ in the transitional zone on N, NE aspects. Also notable was observation of reloading of bed surfaces on previous slides.
Lutak Zone:
Jan 28:
Glory Hole NW-aspect around 3,200′
Transitional and Chilkat Pass Zones:
January 25-29th:
Isolated fresh D2 wind slab avalanches in cross-loaded gullies near the Little Jarvis/Klehini area.
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
R4D2.5 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:
Onshore flow continues. Overcast skies with 1-3” snow closer to the boarder, rain in town. Above 1000’ temps will be min high 20s/max near freezing. Light winds, moderate at times from the S SE, switching to NE late. Freezing level around 1500’ dropping back to sea leave in the pm.
Recent Weather Summary:
- Incremental snow (more in Lutak zone) since Feb 5th, periods of moderate S/SE 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 2600ft
- Complete Season Histories: Transitional Zone Lutak Zone
Snow Depth | Last 24-hr Snow/SWE | Last 3-days Snow/SWE | Today’s Freezing Level | Today’s Winds | Next 24-hr Snow/SWE | |
Mount Ripinsky @ 2,500′ | 128″ | 5″ / 0.50″ | 30″ / 3.00″ | 1100′ | light to mod S SE, NW late | 2″ / 0.27″ |
Flower Mountain @ 2,500′ | 60″ | 4″ / 0.40″ | 7″ / 0.70″ | 900′ | light to mod S, switching to SW/W | 0.5″ / 0.05″ |
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft | 49″ | 4″ / 0.40″ | 9″ / 0.90″ | 0′ | light to mod S, switching to SW/W | 2.5″ / 0.25″ |
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 every day 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.