[MCR] ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued April 30th, 2014

ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued April 30th, 2014 ACMG Mountain Conditions Summary issued april 30th, 2014 This is the first ACMG Mountain Conditions summary for 2014. Parks Canada and Kananaskis Country should still be issuing public avalanche bulletins for awhile yet. The HEAT is on! This is the first big warm spell of the spring and the still wintry snowpack is going to feel it. Possibly not much overnight cooling for a couple of days so it won't be a great time to be out in the mountains enjoying the afternoon sun unless you are far away from any avalanche run outs. The weak basal layers and the feb 10th layers will probably be stressed by this sudden and possibly prolonged heat. A wise person would assume this stress WILL produce some big nasty avalanches somewhere. Certainly wet surface slides and rockfall will be an issue in steep terrain till things change. The remaining cornices are "springtime huge" and will be creaking and groaning hard in the heat. Rumours of a possible inversion tomorrow-that won't help with anything but creating big avalanches. It looks like it might cool down in the Bow Valley eventually but in some forecast areas(Jasper and most of the Columbias) it may stay warm and even rain eventually in the Columbias. That is a long way out but if it happens, it is not good news for mountain travellers in the short term. Continue to expect big avalanches if it stays warm and sunny or rains without the snowpack getting a chance to cool down. There have been several recent reports of some great skiing and travelling conditions but that is all on hold till things cool down. Glacier travel conditions are wildly variable-reports of good coverage on most of the Bugs to Rogers Pass traverse-and reports of Sir Sandford hourglass route being almost all bare ice. The alpine lakes are probably starting to get less trustworthy. I recently heard a terrifying story of a group of 3 all falling through the ice on Fortress Lake last spring. Swimming with skis and a big pack on is likely not as much fun as it sounds. These guys are tough, worked hard and were lucky to survive. There is still some waterfall ice around, but again, terrain choice will be key given the rising avalanche hazard and the rising potential for any unsupported ice falling off till temperatures get cool and stay there for awhile. It is warm and dry enough to rock climb in low elevation, sunny places in the Bow Valley and the Columbia mountains. Ticks are out in the rockies and there will likely be some dampness around most crags but it would feel darn good to have hands on warm stone again. Alpine climbing-uh, no. This heat will be great for the alpinism in the long run but the snow will really need to recover after this heat. It really is still very much a late winter snowpack with some nasty avalanche events still to come before we get excited about cramponing on perfect neve that is frozen from ground to snow surface. Finally on the subject of avalanches and alpinism, the ACMG will be launching an awareness campaign about the use of avalanche rescue gear in waterfall ice and alpine climbing. We certainly don't want to be dogmatic about it but, I think it is fair to say that while travelling in snow covered avalanche terrain at anytime of the year, it is wise to consider carrying avalanche rescue gear and only leaving it behind as part of a conscious decision making process, not simply because you aren't skiing in January. There is still some great skiing and climbing to come this spring. Let this heatwave do its work from a cozy distance and get after it when things have healed up. Happy May! Larry Stanier Mountain Guide
These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field. Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.