Rising temperatures elevate avalanche risk in BC’s backcountry

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Avalanche Canada reports that rising temperatures are making the snowpack unstable. (Archive photo.)

Radio-Canada

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Mountain rescuers reiterate the importance of preparing for avalanche risks in British Columbia's backcountry as rising temperatures weaken the snowpack.

< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">They should expect the avalanche risk to continue to increase as temperatures rise. Adding rain to the snowpack will make it less stable, said Jim Loree, search operations manager for North Shore Rescue.

He said backcountry hikers should bring extra warm clothing, water and food, as well as communication devices and flashlights.

He says that on Thursday his organization participated in the rescue of a skier and a snowboarder. The latter, who got lost on Mount Cypress, was not well prepared for the potential danger of his excursion, specifies Jim Loree. He clearly did not know where he was going and did not have any avalanche protection equipment.

[Some] think it can't happen to them, they say: ''that looks good, I won't have a problem' x27;', but they end up being overwhelmed by events and they have to call for help.

A quote from Jim Loree, search operations manager for North Shore Rescue.

Avalanche Canada indicates that there were some avalanches everywhere in the hinterland.

LoadingAmong the Islanders, the Roy effect is already being felt

Among the Islanders, the Roy effect is already being felt

ELSEWHERE ON INFO: Among the Islanders, the Roy effect is already being felt

In the Terrace region, snowmobilers deliberately caused a small avalanche on Friday, when cracks in the snow cover formed under their machine.

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After triggering the small avalanche, the snowmobilers avoided the slopes most exposed to the wind.

We therefore understood that wind slabs were going to be reactive in this area, writes one of the snowmobilers in her report published on the organization's website, adding that they did not snowmobile on slopes. most exposed to the wind to avoid triggering a larger avalanche.

In the mountainous region, north of Vancouver, Avalanche Canada reports that there had natural avalanches Friday and Saturday: Rain and mild temperatures impacted the snowpack on mountain tops, forming wet, deep snow at lower elevations.

Further east, in the greater Rocky Mountain region, avalanches are deliberately caused. Areas of Glacier National Park in the Selkirk Range are closed for preventative avalanche triggering using explosives.

Warming, fresh snow and winds are the perfect ingredients for new slabs to form.

A quote from Avalanche Canada

Avalanche Canada adds that natural avalanches have occurred in this park, notably at Mount McDonald, and that skiers triggered avalanches at Mount Cheops on Tuesday and Thursday. All avalanches [were] triggered by skiers [who] slid on a crust of sun.

With information from Maurice Katz