The Canadian Avalanche Centre has issued a special warning for most regions of British Columbia including the North Rockies, Cariboo and North Columbia regions.
Unseasonable warmth is expected to destabilize the snowpack and, in certain situations, trigger large avalanches. The CAC is also worried about the "blue sky syndrome" this weekend, CAC public warning service manager Karl Klassen said.
"It's common to have a false sense of security in good weather, and this weekend that could lead to underestimating the hazard," he said.
The CAC recommends recreational backcountry users with little or no avalanche training or experience avoid avalanche terrain, or undertake activities in which avalanche risk is managed by professionals.
Experienced backcountry recreationists are urged to travel on simple terrain such as small, low angle, well-supported features with no large, steep slopes or cornices above.
When temperatures are warmest and especially if the sun is out, all avalanche terrain should be avoided, including valley bottom runout zones.
Every person in a backcountry party needs an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel and everyone should have some training in recognizing avalanche terrain and applying safe backcountry travel techniques.
For more information, visit avalanche.ca. The warning remains in effect until Monday.
- As part of B.C. Avlanche Awareness Days in B.C., the Prince George Alpine Club is hosting a backcountry ski avalanche awareness trip to the Sugarbowl ski area on Sunday. For more information, contact Ben Crimp at [email protected].
