[MCR] South Coast Range ~ Overlord Glacier

Hope this finds you all keeping well and enjoying the Spring ski-touring.
 
I toured out to Russet Creek, up the Overlord Glacier to Whirlwind Peak, and down Whirlwind Pass today.
 
The surface snow on north-facing terrain up to approximately 7000' (nearly the same elevation as the peak of Whistler Mountain) became moist by midday with the warm temperatures that invaded the coast region today. Above that elevation, the snow was drier and more winterlike. Moderate winds from a southerly direction was moving a little snow around on the lee (north) sides and those same winds were mildly affecting the surface of that north-facing snowcover.
 
We put the rope on to crest the main breakover of Overlord Glacier. There were many large sags here but some passable routes through this crux. The hot and dry weather of this past summer season hammered the glaciers around here leaving larger than average crevasses by the time the November snows began to fly. The snowcover bridging the crevasses is deep in many places but the effects of the hot summer is still evident with the outline of many of the larger 'slots' still obvious.
 
The alpine south face of Mount MacBeth saw some natural avalanche activity today with several large/long loose snow slides that began as 'point releases' from solar-heated rocky outcrops.
 
A firmer layer of snow down approximatley 15cm from the surface on north sides provided a good 'base' for skiing and it carried down to at least 5500'.
 
The skiing down Whirlwind Pass was a little 'grabby' but very skiable.
 
The Singing Pass trail out to Whistler Village was in reasonable condition but it is beginning to slowly erode as Spring wears on. A couple of waterbar/creek crossing required some Cirque du Soleil acrobatic manoeuvering to get over to the other side, but all in all the trail out is not too bad (be careful of some icy gully crossings and watch out for the open creeks).
 
Wishing Everyone safe and fun Spring ski-touring.
 
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Asst. Ski Guide
 
 

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