Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Amandalina Letterio

IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

Avalanche warnings for North and South Columbia

Jan 10, 2022 | 3:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — If you enjoy remote alpine skiing or snowmobiling , this week is not a good time to head out into the back country. Avalanche Canada anticipates potential snowslide activity all over the province including the Interior Region because of warmer weather, precipitation and high winds.

“The entire Columbia mountain range, all the way from Highway 16 in the North right to the U.S. border, is probably going to experience some kind of avalanche cycle here in the next week or so,” said Karl Klassen, Warning Service Manager, Avalanche Canada.

Avalanche Canada has two moderate avalanche warnings near Kamloops, one in North Columbia and one in South Columbia.

“I think it’s going to be worse in the south than in the north the way the storm track looks right now,” Klassen says.

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If you’re still considering heading out into the backcountry this week, Klassen says to be prepared.

“Make sure that you have the proper gear and equipment before you go into the mountains, you need to have a probe, you need to have a shovel, you need an avalanche transceiver. You need to be trained on how to use that gear, you got to make sure it’s all in really good shape before you leave and that you’ve practiced your rescue techniques in case something happens,” he explains.

Most importantly, he says don’t underestimate the strength of an avalanche.

“I’ll be frank. It doesn’t take a very big avalanche to bury or injure somebody that’s on a snowmobile or on skis, because you’re very unprotected,” Klassen says.