This just in from North Shore Search and Rescue and CFA member, Allan. Please, play it safe out in the mountains this weekend:
The Canadian Avalanche
Centre (CAC) is issuing a Special Avalanche Warning for the North
Shore Mountains of Vancouver and surrounding areas, including the
Howe Sound Crest and extending east to the Coquihalla Summit. This
warning is in place from Friday February 1 through Sunday February 3.
CAC Operations Manager
John Kelly says there is an unusually weak layer in the snowpack of
this region. “The colder weather earlier this month created
this weakness,” he explains, “and we are concerned that
recreational backcountry users in this area will not have much
experience with this type of problem. Now, the recent new snow is
making backcountry travel very attractive. We are issuing this
warning to get the message out that an extra margin of safety is
required for anyone traveling in the avalanche terrain this coming
weekend.”
To increase safety
margins, the CAC advises:
-
Stay on simpler
terrain
-
Stay off steep
slopes (steeper than the stairs in your house)
-
Avoid convex
features, especially where the slope below is unsupported
-
Avoid terrain
traps
-
Spread out when
crossing avalanche runout zones.
-
Avoid avalanche
start zones and tracks. If you must travel in these areas, go one at
a time from safe point to safe point
Managing avalanche risk
effectively requires an in-depth knowledge of the terrain and the
snowpack. To reduce your risk, start with an Avalanche Skills
Training course. The CAC’s website, avalanche.ca, has a list of
course providers near you. Every person in your group needs
appropriate rescue gear, and you should always consult the avalanche
and weather conditions before heading out. Using the Avaluator, the
CAC’s new avalanche decision-making tool, will also help you
reduce your risk. Public avalanche forecasts and information reports
can be obtained at avalanche.ca or by phone at 1-800-667-1105.
