[MCR] snow conditions Northern Selkirk Mountains

Hello ski-touring enthusiasts

Just returned from a trip in the Northern Selkirk Mountains, 40 km northeast of Revelstoke BC (Durrand Glacier area). Despite the much below average snowpack in most areas of the Northwest, we have observed a well settled and bonded snowpack of average snow depth. At tree-line, elevation 1950 meter the snowpack measured 195 cm at the Durrand Glacier Chalet snow study plot. At elevation 2320 meter we made a snowprofile (HS 275cm), aspect N incline 20 degr. The December 8th surface facets and surface hoar layer, down 85 cm, reacted to a moderate shovel shear test and shovel compression test 18 with sudden planar. The November 28th surface facet layer was down 130 cm and reacted to hard shovel shear results and shovel compression test 28 and 29 sudden planar. Skiing in the alpine, tree-line and below tree-line did not show significant weaknesses in the upper snowpack. Only in exposed wind-exposed convex terrain of the higher alpine wind-effects have been observed, reacting to skiing in form of minor cracking down 15cm on the December 20th layer. Overall, we have observed much less wind effects then reported about other area.

We had incredible skiing in all three elevation zones, fast and super light powder overlaying an average snowpack. Great times ….

Enjoy your next ski-tour.

Ruedi Beglinger
ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide
Selkirk Mountain Experience
www.selkirkexperience.com
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