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www.avalanche.net.nz Check the latest newsletter on this site before heading out. Has been a couple of avalanche related deaths already this year. Let's not add any snowkiters to the list. One of the great dangers of our sport is that kiting allows easy access to the backcountry for people who may be unprepared. Most terrain for beginner intermediates is not in avalanche terrain however, as has already happened this season - someone lost their kite and it blew over a ridge into a steep bowl. Three kiters went trudging over the ridge to retrieve it and set off a large avalanche. Fortunately it broke off below them and they were not caught. Anyone traveling in avalanche terrain in the current environment without proper equipment and training is basically an idiot. Don't be that guy. Even if kiting at snowfarm watch out for steep slopes, gullys and cornices. Don't kite alone. Keep an eye on one another. Andhave fun!
Wanaka Region
WEATHER
Following several weeks of largely fine , settled weather we have enjoyed some welcome snow. In the past week, the region received at least, 40cm of new snow from the Westerly Quarter much of which arrived with limited wind. Late in the week, gale force winds from the Southwest and South caused intense transport to occur and hazard to build rapidly.
SNOWPACK
Widespread areas of wind loading exist lee to the Westerly half particularly above 1500m.This windslab is resting on a pack containing a number of hidden weaknesses. Buried surface hoar, weak rime crusts and layers of facets are present in many areas. In addition, depth hoar is likely to be developing given the continuing cold temperatures and relatively shallow pack. The forecast for the next few days suggests that this weakened pack will be subjected to further loading and consequently, conditions are likely to become even more dangerous.
AVALANCHE OCCURRENCES
A multitude of significant slides (size 2 or greater) were reported during the week. Control work at local ski fields produced a number of size 2 releases mostly, lee to the SW or South. Reports have also come in from Heliski operators of sensitive conditions including a number of remote releases. Light loads(single rider) are all that is required to trigger slides which have the potential to bury a person.
DANGER RATING
The rating is currently HIGH and likely to remain so for some time given the already overloaded pack and forecast snow and strong winds.
TRAVEL ADVISORY
Backcountry travel is not advised at the present time. If you must travel, remain on very low angled terrain or stripped slopes or ridge lines. Avoid all steep slopes, confined gullies and terrain traps. Unless you have a great deal of experience reading avalanche terrain, possess advanced route finding skills and are correctly equipped(shovel, probe and transceiver) , STAY IN BOUNDS.
Queenstown Region
WEATHER
This week started with gale force NW winds, during this time approx. 30cms of new snow was recorded. Winds turned SW and another 20cms of colder snow was deposited, bringing the total over 3 days to around 50cms. Weekend weather was calm and clear as skiers enjoyed the first new snow for 6 weeks. As the week comes to a close the forecast is for more new snow in the coming days.
SNOWPACK
Concerns expressed last week about the snowpack have eventuated. Wind and snow combined this week to create a dangerously fragile snowpack. Unfortunately there was not enough weight within this latest fall to produce a natural cycle. Only light triggers were required to release the stress in the pack and climax avalanches were resulting from deep instabilities. Crown wall profiles identified surface hoar in several failures. Depth hoar growth over the last month has contributed to the multiple failure of supportive layers. The current faceted snowpack has been well documented over the previous weeks.The current situation continues with whumpfing, cracking and remote events recorded daily. The snowpack is unlikely to change much in the week ahead, more snow loading in the coming days will only add more stress to the weakened pack. Precipitation levels are forecast to be light and doubts are expressed that there will be enough weight of new snow to produce a much needed natural cycle.
AVALANCHE OCCURRENCES
Despite the best efforts of the "info x" to warn users of the High danger, many people headed to the backcountry unprepared. "Powder frenzy" was used as an excuse in 1 high profile case. Even experienced professionals have been caught by the fragile snowpack conditions. Many size 3 events have been recorded which is fairly uncommon for this time of year. In summary there were 7 skier/boarder involvement's resulting in 4 people being caught but luckily no full burials, there has been too many remote events to summarise.
DANGER RATING
Beginning on considerate the rating was quickly reset to HIGH, with the current conditions the week ahead will see the rating remain High.
TRAVEL ADVISORY
"Stay off all steep terrain and keep to low angled slopes only!" This is the very simple message for this weeks advisory,
I have never seen such a fragile snowpack on so many aspects and at all elevations that we currently see in the backcountry. The current conditions are unlikely to improve in the week ahead. Do not travel alone in the backcountry, make sure your party carries all safety equipment and you no how to use it. It is still early season and there is plenty of snow to come, take extreme care this week and make sure your still around to enjoy it.
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