As the season moves into winter, the backcountry becomes a paradise for adventure-seekers looking to enjoy all that the local mountain ranges have to offer.
However, itB次元官网网址檚 also time to get smart about the dangers of avalanches.
Avalanche Canada is set to begin daily avalanche forecasts next week, however, given the early arrival of snow, forecasters are telling the public to get the proper safety training and equipment and be aware of conditions before heading out into the backcountry.
Snowfall depth and quality is currently inconsistent in various parts of the region, depending on how high the elevations are, says Grant Helgeson, a forecaster with Avalanche Canada.
B次元官网网址淭hat tells us a couple things,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥ne, itB次元官网网址檚 incredibly spatially variable right now. Two, itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of work on your skis, sled or snowshoes to actually get up high to the places that we want to ride.
B次元官网网址淭he other side of that, is as we chase that snow up into the higher terrain, weB次元官网网址檙e actually going right to where any early season avalanche problems exist because if there is enough snow to ride, thereB次元官网网址檚 enough snow to slide.B次元官网网址�
The beginning of winter can mean consistent freeze-thaw cycles as the season slowly shifts to colder weather.
That can help set up the mountain terrain for a nice base of snow, Helgeson said.
B次元官网网址淵ou take all that loose powder show and you give it a few freeze-thaw cycles and it shrinks, it gets shorter, it gets denser, and that can really be a nice base,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut we often look at the freeze-thaw from the valley location, and that freeze-thaw might actually not be occurring in the upper elevations.
B次元官网网址淚 think in some places it can remain quite cold and windy with a decent amount of snow, say 40-70 centimetres to push around into fresh wind slabs.B次元官网网址�
Below the treeline, the freeze-thaw cycle helps to establish the snowpack, however, up in the alpine region, all bets are off.
Getting reacquainted with proper safety procedures and training with the right equipment will help prevent any backcountry mishaps, Helgeson added.
B次元官网网址淥ne thing that happens early seasons, is down low itB次元官网网址檚 easy for us to get complacent,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 difficult to remember to even turn your transceiver on when youB次元官网网址檙e standing on dirt at the valley bottom.
Helgeson recommends that backcountry users take the time to learn how to properly work the transceiver and put in fresh batteries and also inspect your shovel and snow probe.
B次元官网网址淭hen start to think about that, start to think about what youB次元官网网址檇 do in an avalanche rescue,B次元官网网址� Helgeson said.
Taking an Avalanche Skills Training Level One course at the beginning of the season is a great way to get grounded in the proper procedures and safety protocols surrounding avalanche danger, Helgeson said.
Helgeson also encourages backcountry users to submit information and snow conditions to the on the Avalanche Canada website. He says users wonB次元官网网址檛 be obligated to give up their secret specific recreation locations, but any information, including pictures, would be helpful to forecasters.
