Avalanche risk lowers, but searchers still warn of dangers
Posted March 4, 2013 10:18 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NORTH SHORE (NEWS1130) – Some rare sunshine makes a trip up the trails on the North Shore pretty attractive today. But even though the danger has dropped, there are still warnings for anyone headed into the snow in the backcountry.
The North Shore mountains are in much better shape, now that the avalanche danger has dropped to “low.”‘ The Canadian Avalanche Centre is only warning of unstable snow in isolated areas.
It’s mostly hard, refrozen, snow that is causing problems. It can be very icy and slippery.
If you plan to venture into the backcountry along the Sea-to-Sky corridor, the avalanche risk is still “considerable” in the alpine and at the tree line. Below the treeline, it has dropped to “moderate.”
“Right now, it’s an ice rink so we really want people to be very, very cognizant of the extreme hazards of falling in these steep snow field areas that are now ice rinks,” says Tim Jones with North Shore Rescue.
He’s worried those warm conditions will have people taking unnecessary risks. He notes you need to be prepared for the elements. “Ice axe, crampons, even ropes are what’s required out there. Micro spikes and ski poles don’t cut it in a lot of these areas.”
Jones warns the greatest danger is slipping down a gully where it’s hard to get cell phone reception.
The Avalanche Centre says there were a few avalanches in Sea-to-Sky country over the weekend. Deep fracture lines can still be seen with a danger of more backcountry users triggering slides. This beautiful sunshine could cause more snow to let go.
