Special Avalanche Warning issued for backcountry areas near McBride, Valemount

By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG

Avalanche Canada has issued a Special Public Avalanche Warning for most regions in B.C. and Alberta – including backcountry areas near McBride and Valemount, as well as the Monashee and Cariboo mountains – in conjunction with Parks Canada, Alberta Parks and the B.C. government. The warning is in effect now through the end of Monday, March 3rd.

This winter’s dry conditions created weak layers of snowpack which are now covered with a consolidated slab of snow, making for dangerous avalanche conditions, the warning says.

Avalanche Canada encourages backcountry users to use caution. This includes choosing slopes less than 30 degrees, avoiding sun-exposed slopes during warm conditions, and moving one at a time through avalanche terrain. Backcountry users should always carry rescue gear including a transceiver, probe and shovel, and check the avalanche forecast at www.avalanche.ca, the statement adds.

Avalanche Canada forecaster Zoe Ryan urged caution to backcountry users in a press release.

“We know backcountry users are eager to enjoy the snow, but this is a tricky avalanche problem,” Ryan said. “Good travel habits and selecting conservative terrain will be critical because getting caught in one of these avalanches could be deadly.”