Canadian Avalanche Centre warns of extreme avalanche risk
Last Updated: Saturday, January 10, 2009 | 3:05 PM MT
CBC News
The Canadian Avalanche Centre is warning people heading for the B.C./Alberta backcountry this weekend that the risk of an avalanche is extreme.
Heavy snow has been falling throughout the Rockies on both sides of the provincial border and more is expected.
According to the CAC's website, avalanches in the backcountry are occurring frequently.
Karl Klassen, an avalanche forecaster with the CAC, said this year's snow pack is especially treacherous.
"It's kind of an upside-down snow pack, where the firmer, harder, denser snow is on top and the weaker, less consolidated snow is underneath," Klassen said. "That's a classic setup for … the most destructive kind of avalanches we can get."
Klassen said people without extensive avalanche training should stay out of the backcountry.
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