What you don't see?

[ferniesnow]

Prior to this wet spring avalanche, this chute was totally void of snow! It has been for weeks. This came to rest 25m from the trail and it is 1m deep. This is one of the main chutes that one crosses in Elkford. A lot of people take these for granted, many don't wear beacons, some climb and play in this opening, and some don't even see them for what they are.

In other years we have had to push 5m of snow with the groomer from the trai when this has come down.

Safe avalanche protocol is a must when riding in the Elkford area and particularly on the Crossing Creek/Koko Claims Trail.

 

[maxwell]

this used to happen in one of the areas i ride. even during mid season. they were required to move the trail to the other side of the valley.

heres some from another area that happened a few days prior to when we got there

 

[MtnMaster]

This was up Wilson Creek(just northwest of Sparwood) while quadding/dirtbiking the last weekend in June, '09. It was about 2-3 meters deep, and it actually ended up being the end of the line for us. It would have been too much work to try and cross, shoveling a ramp up one side and down the other.....

Would have been MASSIVE when it came down, there were full size trees buried in it that were snapped like toothpicks. Looked like a cornice on the ridge broke off, and the whole face came down burying the road.

 

[polarice]

This was up Wilson Creek(just north of Sparwood) while quadding/dirtbiking the last weekend in June, '09. It was about 2-3 meters deep, and it actually ended up being the end of the line for us. It would have been too much work to try and cross, shoveling a ramp up one side and down the other.....

Would have been MASSIVE when it came down, there were full size trees buried in it that were snapped like toothpicks. Looked like a cornice on the ridge broke off, and the whole face came down burying the road.

and to see the carnage left over in the summer is an eye opener
doug have you got pictures of mear in the summer time id be curious to see what that looks like