Cracking, Whumphing and Reactive Storm Slabs

We observed cracking, whumphing and reactive storm slabs while skiing at Kootenay Pass today. We stuck to conservative terrain and had some great turns and no surprises. However, as suspected, the recent storm snow was highly reactive to skier traffic. Small features steep enough to avalanche were easily triggered with ski cuts and we observed small features that failed remotely as we travelled through low angled terrain.

North aspects were more reactive than south aspects, however some shooting cracks were observed in wind affected cross loaded south aspect features at ridge top.

Have a safe weekend!

Conor Hurley
www.arctosguides.com