Gulmarg Snow Safety

Gulmarg snow safety celebrates 5 years of service

Brian — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:38:00 +0530

Gulmarg Snow Safety is a Non-profit, NGO providing avalanche education and advisories to the Indian and international visitors of Gulmarg, located in the Pir Pinjal mountains of Kashmir.

Please consider a donation to promote this program. We offer paypal as a fast means of contributing any amount you like in any currency!

Thank You.

2012-3-22

Brian — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:06:00 +0530

The powerful wind gusts during Monday night have had a significant impact on forested areas around the Gulmarg ski area. In some places, more than half the tree population has been destroyed. The result is hundreds of large pines fallen on the snow surface. Combined with organic debris stripped by the winds and now covering the snow surface, riding under first phase gondola is not recommended.

The second phase of the gondola will close for riding Sunday March 25.

Please check back periodically for the end of season report.

2012-3-20

Brian — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:54:00 +0530

Strong winds Monday night are responsible for damage throughout Kashmir state prompting a "state of emergency" by the government. The gondola suffered a derailment during the night and outside of operating hours. A tree fell onto the cable causing the derailment. Engineers have said that repairs will be complete for operating by Wednesday afternoon.

2012-3-19

Brian — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0530

A trough tracking from the West will favor moisture falls over the Karakoram before reaching us on Monday afternoon. Light snowfall may become more intense by Tuesday morning accompanied by strong Southwest winds and colder temperatures. The end of this storm should come by mid-day Tuesday.

Monday will be mostly disturbed weather; windy with periods of poor visibility. Snowfall will be light and limited accumulations by the close of the day should not affect overall avalanche hazard.

On Tuesday morning expect storming conditions and strong Southwest winds. In the afternoon, clearing skies will reveal avalanche danger from sensitive slab on North aspects. Sudden rise in temperature will promote further destabilization on all aspects. The bottom line is the alpine backcountry on Tuesday afternoon will demand good route selection around multiple sources of avalanche hazard. Keep in mind, by Wednesday morning a much more stable situation will likely be the case in the alpine backcountry.

Below treeline the snowpack is disappearing at a fast rate yet remains stable due re-freezing overnight. New snow/rain should not affect stability significantly. The hazard below treeline remains Low (1).

2012-3-15

Brian — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0530

Clear skies and light winds from the South. Temperatures rising significantly to above freezing level in the alpine with local convective cloud build up in the afternoon.

The weather forecast over the next week is modeling a steep spike in rising temperatures. The snow pack will undergo periods of weakening. For today stay away from South facing slopes between the hours of 11am to 3pm. Some areas of wind slab will still be present near ridge top on North to East facing slopes and cornices may still be sensitive to light loads.

The alpine hazard is: Moderate (2)

Below treeline the hazard is:Low (1)

Luke

2012-3-14

Brian — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:28:00 +0530

Clear skies with cloudy periods and light snow fall possible in the afternoon, moderate winds from the south at ridge top remaining through out the day. Mid day temperatures rising.

Although no significant snow accumulations came to fruition an the past 24 hours, moderate winds at ridge top from the south have kept the North and East facing slopes loaded with enough snow to produce slabs at ridge top and re-build cornice growth which may be sensitive to a single skier. Test slopes at entry areas near ridge top and avoid cornices. With warm mid day temperatures forecast, the potential for loose snow avalanches on South facing slopes continues, avoid traversing or loitering underneath these aspects between the hours of 11am and 2pm.

The alpine hazard is rated at: Moderate (2)

below treeline the hazard is: Low (1)

Luke

2012-3-13

Brian — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0530

A fast moving trough of low pressure tracking from the Northwest may relieve up to 30mm of water, mostly overnight. Periods of clear skies by late morning. Winds will be Southerly for the duration of the storm and remain moderate through tonight.

A good chance for very unstable conditions due to poor bonding of storm snow to the existing snow surface and the likely presence of an inverted density of storm snow layers. Conservative route selection and tests should precede backcountry travel. North to East aspects hold the highest prospects of slab danger. South aspects have the risk of destabilizing after 11am due to rising temperatures. The alpine hazard is Considerable (3).

Below treeline the hazard remains Low (1).

Please join us for the final Avalanche Awareness talk tonight, 7pm at Pine Palace Heritage Hotel.

2012-3-12

Brian — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0530

A weak front is expected to arrive today, beginning with high cloud and developing into snow showers in the afternoon. Expect winds to increase from the south as the day goes on, temperatures remaining below freezing in the alpine area.

Cooler temperatures and high cloud cover should keep the South facing aspects stable today. Although the forecast is for the main brunt of the storm to hit over night tonight, watch for the increase in wind and snow accumulations, expect this combination to develop new slab on the North to East aspects near ridge tops and once again to cause cornice growth. Although small in scale, these considerations may be sensitive to a single skier.

The alpine Hazard is: Moderate (2)

Below treeline hazard is: Low (1)

Luke

2012-3-11

Brian — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0530

Clear skies, light winds from the South and warm mid-day temperatures, afternoon high cloud developing into snow showers in the evening is expected.

Pay attention to more rise in temperatures including solar radiation destabilizing South facing aspects during the hours between 11am and 3pm. Take time to test slopes before committing. Stay away from cornices.

The back country alpine hazard is Moderate (2).

Below treeline the hazard is Low (1).

Luke

2012-3-10

Brian — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0530

A weather repeat of yesterday. Clear skies, light winds and warm mid-day temperatures. Afternoon convective cloud may restrict visibility and cause light snow fall.

Pay attention to rising temperatures destabilizing South facing aspects during the hours between 11am and 3pm. Take time to test slopes before committing. Stay away from cornices.

The back country alpine hazard is Moderate(2).

Below treeline the hazard is Low (1).

Luke

2012-3-9

Brian — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0530

Clear skies, light winds and warm mid-day temperatures. However, don't be surprised if convective cloud build up restricts visibility and causes light snow fall.

The new snow from yesterday has a potential to be reactive to a single skier today. Small soft slabs near ridge top on the North aspects and loose snow avalanches on the South aspects should be considered in route plans. Pay attention to rising temperatures destabilizing South facing aspects during the hours between 11am and 3pm. Take time to test slopes before committing. Stay away from cornices.

The back country alpine hazard is Moderate(2).

Below treeline the hazard is Low (1).

Luke

2012-3-8

Brian — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:41:00 +0530

Light snowfall Wednesday night becoming cloudy during the day on Thursday. Evening brings another chance of light snowfall. Southerly winds may ease a bit during the day but will increase by late afternoon. Disturbed weather will be the rule today. The good news is fleeting fine spells are most likely during the prime riding hours.

Moderate winds overnight but the amount of snow will likely not amount to a big concern for slab development. Plan to evaluate new snow soft slabs producing small avalanches on Northerly ridgetop aspects. Some concern also for large paths like Chooti Nali and Killanmarg and anywhere else where past avalanches exposed a hard icy bed surface which is slow to accept a good bond to recent storm snow. Expect poor visibility and windy conditions. The alpine advisory is Moderate (2)

Below treeline the hazard is Low (1).

2012-3-7

Brian — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:12:00 +0530

Small disturbances following the previous storm will linger today, expect snow showers, increasing winds at ridge tops and periods of poor visibility, temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing in the alpine region.

Although the stability within the most recent storm has shown signs of strengthening there are still weak layers to be concerned about including: moderate winds from the South West over the past 24hrs have continued to load the North to East slopes, although accumulations of new snow today are not forecast to be significant, new slab could be very sensitive to a single skier. Deeper weaknesses like previous avalanche bed surfaces have proved to be very reluctant to bond to new storm snow, and the ever surviving pockets of November's Depth Hoar still exist.

Warm temperatures and solar radiation may weaken South facing slopes.

Stay away from cornices, take extra caution near ridge tops and avoid South facing slopes from the hours of 12-2pm.

The alpine Hazard is: Considerable (3)

With relatively new snow still available to loosen with warm temperatures the hazard below tree line will remain: Moderate (2)

Luke

2012-3-6

Brian — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:58:00 +0530

Clearing skies and easing winds for today, expect periods of poor visibility and snow showers from localized convective cloud build up.

Although bonds between layers within the storm snow and with the old snow are expected to have improved over the past 24 hours, due to the warm temperatures yesterday and colder temperatures over night. Fresh cornice growth may be sensitive to light loads, wind slab may still be reactive on steep North to East aspects, cross loaded areas and the deep instability from November are all thoughts that should be considered in trip plans for back country riders today. Watch for strong solar radiation on South facing aspects between the hours of 1200 and 1400hrs, the new snow may be easily loosened by this rapid heating. Avoid traversing these slopes or loitering in areas below them.

The Alpine hazard is: High (4)

Due to the warm temperatures and potential for wet and loose snow avalanches the hazard below tree line is: Moderate (2)

Luke

2012-3-5

Brian — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:53:00 +0530

The front presently upon the Pir Pinjal range will continue to provide moderate to heavy snow fall with strong winds at ridge top during the day, the storm is forecast to ease during the evening.

Significant snow totals and significant indications of potential weakness including varying forms (graupel) and density, a previously hard snow surface forming a potentially poor bond with the new snow and strong winds during the storm. We'll likely see a new snow instability particularly with wind slab near ridge top on North around to East facing aspects. Cross loading is possible on South facing aspects. Also worth noting: added load to the deep Depth hoar instability lingering from Nov has consistently been reactive to all previous storms. Although many slopes have been cleared of this instability through previous avalanches if you trigger one that hasn't, the outcome may be fatal.

The alpine hazard for Monday is: HIGH (4)

Warm temperatures in lower elevations suggest stabilizing, however soft slab is possible during the storm.

Below treeline hazard is: MODERATE (2)

Luke

2012-3-4

Brian — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:00:00 +0530

A weak system will push over the pir pinjal and unload roughly 50mm of water by Monday evening. On Sunday steady Southerly winds increasing. Light snowfall beginning Sunday morning and becoming heavy by nightfall.

In the alpine region soft slab will develop by afternoon on North ridgetop aspects. Expect windy conditions mixed with poor visibility. The apline hazard is Moderate (2).

Warmer temperatures tomorrow will see heavy snow mixed with rain at treeline elevations. Below treeline the hazard is Low (1).

2012-3-3

Brian — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:45:00 +0530

Access to hiking North of top station of the Gondola will be closed Saturday March 3 to prevent access to Indian Military explosives detonating in Killanmarg region. Second Phase will be open with access available to the ski area and backcountry access to the South from top station.

In an effort to test proposed improvements in operating hours for next winter, Snow Safety will plan to undertake avalanche mitigation at 08:00 on Tuesday to target opening of second phase at 09:30.

The downhill derby has been rescheduled for 14:00 Saturday.

2012-3-2

Brian — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:56:00 +0530

Clear skies and light winds are forecast for Friday and Saturday with peak day time temperatures becoming increasingly warm. Expect small convective snow showers and periods of poor visibility.

Along with small loose snow avalanches possible there are specific areas on the South facing aspects that have a persistent deep weakness of depth hoar, triggering this weak layer is unlikely but with intense heat at lower elevations this possibility increases.

Avoid south facing slopes during peak solar hours (12-2pm) particularly take note of this if planning to traverse. The Alpine Hazard is Moderate (2)

Below tree line the hazard is low (1)

Luke

2012-3-2

Brian — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:44:00 +0530

Cancelled by Military at 08:00.

Access to hiking North of top station of the Gondola will be closed Friday March 2 to prevent access to Indian Military explosives detonating in Killanmarg region. Second Phase will be open with access available to the ski area and backcountry access to the South from top station.

2012-3-1

Brian — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:20:00 +0530

Clear skies and light winds are forecast up until Saturday afternoon with peak day time temperatures becoming increasingly warm.

Avoid South facing slopes during peak solar hours (12-2pm) particularly take note of this if planning to traverse. The Alpine Hazard is Moderate (2)

Below tree line the hazard is low (1)

Luke