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Yukon Avalanche Association Telling Yukoners to Exercise Caution in Backcountry Following Warmer Temperatures

Monday, 18 March 2019 12:58

Much of British Columbia and Alberta is under an avalanche advisory by Avalanche Canada

Following an avalanche warning issued for many areas in Western Canada, the Yukon Avalanche Association is telling Yukoners to exercise caution if travelling in the backcountry.

Following an avalanche warning issued for many areas in Western Canada, the Yukon Avalanche Association is telling Yukoners to exercise caution if travelling in the backcountry.

Yukon Avalanche Association Director Ben Horowitz says while Yukon isn't in the avalanche warning area issued by Avalanche Canada, changes in the territory's backcountry are occurring fast.

"We've experienced a huge warm up here in Whitehorse and across the north. It's pretty warm in the White Pass and Haines Pass as well.  There's definitely a period of rising instability. We've had a pretty tough avalanche season overall. There's been weak layers in the snowpack that have gone to sleep and now we're definitely concerned of them waking back up."

Horowitz says it's also important to recognize what slope on the mountain you are travelling on as some slopes are historically more treacherous than others.

"I just think giving south-facing slopes a lot of respect, especially later in the day as temperatures rise even higher. Again, we've had pretty tough avalanche conditions for a lot of this year and this rising warming period is not more of the same, it's quite a rise in temperatures. "

For those heading into the backcountry, Horowitz says they can get the latest territorial avalanche advisory through the Yukon Avalanche or the Avalanche Canada website.

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