HAKUBA / OTARI BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL ADVISORY:

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Thaw crust will be present on east and south aspects after yesterday’s slight warming… and strong solar radiation. These crusts will be most prominent at lower elevations and steep southern slopes. Surface hoar and near surface faceting is present on more shaded slopes where radiated heat loss was prevalent during clear skies at night and through the days due to the low temps. Areas lower in elevation that did not receive as much wind as higher elevations and close to water sources in the valley will see greater facet creation.

Today’s new snow may collect enough to cause small loose slides later in the day. Stay clear of steep slopes with scouring around ridges and rocky outcrops that might have shallow areas that may be more reactive to skier and rider triggering from the persistent weak faceted melt freeze layer around the January 22nd thaw crust. Cornices have been getting big in the Alpine and at Tree Line and should be avoided. Stay to simple terrain away from steep convex slopes.

This low density surface snow combined with near surface faceting and hoar frost may produce a weak interface with the new snow falling today and continuing through to the weekend.

Expect the avalanche hazard to rise with new snow and wind affect.

There is still the possibility of very large slab avalanches at Tree Line and above. Take due care if traveling in the Hakuba and Otari backcountry.

AVALANCHE DANGER:
ALPINE: Considerable
TREE LINE: Considerable
BELOW TREE LINE: Moderate

Recent low temperatures have not been helping to increase bonding at the interface between the January 12th rain crust and January 14th wind slab. New slab avalanches that have been observed on South and South East aspects in the alpine over the past few days are testament to the poor bonding. Winds at ridge top have been moderate North westerlies and strong enough to continue adding load to those wind slabbed lee slopes. Solar radiation on these Southern slopes is also a concern as snow around rocks, trees and steeper slopes warms up and possibly looses cohesion. Northern aspects will have less accumulated new snow on top of the January 12th rain crust and will be less likely to produce avalanches than southern slopes, but be aware that this will change rapidly with new snow fall also be aware that it will be easier to loose an edge and go for a long uncontrolled slide on top of the exposed rain crust. Clear skies, cool temperatures and calm winds over night will result in surface hoar frost to develop and possibly produce a weak layer under any new snow that may fall over the days coming.

Be very cautious in areas of wind slab, especially in larger terrain features at or above tree line. Constraining your routes to ridges and well supported slopes is the best course of action if traveling in the backcountry. If you have to travel in suspect areas use proper spacing between party members and regroup in safe areas. Be alert for tell tale signs of weak interfaces under the wind slab; Whoomphing, Shooting cracks and hollow sounds from under the hard wind slab while traveling.

Avalanche Hazard:
Alpine: Considerable
Tree Line: Considerable
Below Tree line: Moderate

Got the runs bro

Better on top