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Unique conditions in B.C. and Alberta backcountry raise risk of avalanches |
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Written by THE CANADIAN PRESS
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Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
REVELSTOKE, B.C. - A frigid spring in B.C. is about to give way to several days of summer-like weather but that has experts at the Canadian Avalanche Centre issuing a warning to back-country enthusiasts.
CAC operations manager John Kelly says there is still the risk of significant avalanche activity in B.C. and Alberta.
But he can't speculate on the specific danger because the unusual amount of snow remaining in the mountains has pushed the avalanche season long past its usual end date - meaning there is no current data about conditions.
Despite that, Kelly says there are three key factors increasing the avalanche risk this weekend.
He says they include a fragile and unstable snowpack; a cold spring that has maintained strong surface snow layers while masking lower, weaker layers; and several upcoming days of unseasonably warm weather.
The avalanche centre recommends that anyone planning a trip through the backcountry should be equipped with safety gear and know how to use it.
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