28 Jan - Persistent Slab

I have nothing to report from the backcountry for today. It snowed and blowed a bit in the valley. This morning the Japan Avalanche Network released another avalanche advisory for the weekend (which will likely be updated again on Sunday morning, so keep an eye out for any changes). Amongst other very useful information, today's advisory listed a Persistent Slab problem for the first time this season. For about a week now there have been varying reports of slab avalanches between Size 1 and 2 triggered by skiers on a buried sun crust on solar aspects. These avalanches have not abated, hence the problem is becoming persistent. You can read more about Persistent Slab avalanche concerns here at the Canadian Avalanche Center's online course.

Edit: this evening news spread of a person who was killed after being buried 5m deep in a large avalanche on the south side of the Goryu ski area, below tree line, triggered in a steep well known treeless area just to the side of the resort boundary. A Persistent Slab is a serious thing - those who have taken an AST course know this and see it every time they use their Slope Evaluation Card. I teach these courses and do not want to be accused of marketing on tragedy. I am simply making the point that Considerable avalanche danger with a Persistent Slab problem is a serious situation and is plainly recognised as such by avalanche professionals to the extent that it is taught on intro courses. And it is why I made this post earlier today.

Don't get caught up in the moment of feeling great in powder. Stop and pause every time a slope gets steeper above 30 degrees, or the snow changes it's tactile feel under your board/skis, or the trees thin, or you hit a rocky area or a convexity. Every turn down slope changes your avalanche risk - it is not a constant thing from the top of a slope to the bottom. And do not let familiarity or proximity to a ski area boundary fool you into a false sense of safety, nor good conditions you found on a slope with a different terrain character the previous day. Respect the snow, respect terrain, understand that both change with time and as you move around. Easy to type this advice, easy to read it. Hard to do it (I fail on many days I ski). Be humble and do not over estimate your competency in avalanche terrain.

Finally: have as much fun as possible in the mountains. Everyday there is something great to enjoy.