[MCR] South Coast Range ~ North of Whistler

Anyone sporting sandals and shorts, yet? It's good to feel the warmth of that Spring-like sun in the bones.
 
Spent today travelling just to the east of the Pemberton Icecap area via Torrent Creek, Rutherford Creek, Ryan Creek, and South Creek.
 
Calm winds in the high alpine and warmer temperatures prevailed. Sun-affected aspects have been baking these past few days and those slopes were absorbing quite a bit of warmth. There were numerous old loose snow avalanches that have run on steep easterly slopes at below treeline elevations and involved mostly surface snow, but enough of it to sweep a person a fair distance.
 
There is currently a crust at lower treeline elevations on all aspects that demands some cautious skiing. It's supportive when you're being light on your feet and not trying to 'ski' it. I became reaquainted with some gentle sideslipping, slow sweeping turns, and snowploughing to negotiate some sections.
 
Sheltered high-alpine glaciers offered some excellent, dry powder on true north aspects. As you lose elevation and get closer to upper treeline zones where the terrain becomes steeper or more confined (gully-like), you'll likely find that a bit of previous wind has textured the surface snow a bit, making for a few challenging turns 'here and there'.
 
Crevasses are still clearly evident on most glaciers. Although there are fewer open crevasses now, much of the snow bridging them is 'variable': still sagging in some places and better-bridged in others. Because of the state of the glaciers this year, descending them may require some moving around to find the safest route. Having glacier-travel equipment is still a prudent measure if you find yourself up in the high glaciated places.
 
Some of the cornices out there are very large now. Keep an eye about these hazards looming above ~ especially with the midday and afternoon sun beating down and helping to destabilize them.
 
I continue to be mistrusting of large, steeper north-facing alpine slopes, and especially ones that 'bulge' and thereby concentrate stress in the snowpack. Those layers of weaker crystals buried back in early-mid February and late-January (surface hoar) are still out there. I'm going to continue to be vigilant while avoiding terrain traps, and choosing manageable slopes with no overhead hazards.
 
Wishing Everyone enjoyable travels in the hills....
 
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Asst. Ski Guide
 
 

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