[MCR] Chickadee Valley, Kootenay National Park

Spent the day guiding in Chickadee Valley.  We skied up to below the glacier that leads into Chimney Pass.  Ski conditions were excellent with approximately 15-20cm of recent snow on a supportive base.  No signs of instability on any of the slopes we skied on today. 

 

The sun was out in full force and combined with the temperature inversion we saw numerous point releases up to size 2 out of steep south facing terrain.  Anything with a steep solar aspect now has a thin sun crust on it as well.  On north aspects we saw several recent cornice failures which failed to produce significant avalanches except in shallow unsupported areas. 

 

I would still be cautious in thin areas and watch for wind loading in steep terrain but over all we found a solid supportive snow pack with great skiing.  Enjoy the great conditions! 

 

Cheers, Conrad Janzen ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide www.banffmountainguides.com

[MCR] Valley of the Sun

Today I guided Valley of the Sun in the Ghost. Still in great shape with one swing stick. The lower couple pitches is sun bleach. Once the sun swung around I did hear a rock fall. There is snow patches up high that is still melting from the sun, something to keep in mind.

Marco Delesalle
Mountain Guide
www.greatdividemountaineering.com

_______________________________________________
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.

[MCR] Rogers Pass

We spent Monday-Thursday skiing in Rogers Pass. 

The beginning of the week saw the tail end of a major storm and avalanche cycle. On Monday we observed several avalanches in Connaught Creek including large windslabs, one a meter thick, that were hitting the valley bottom from the north face of Mt Cheops. There was also a skier triggered size 1.5, 30 cm thick, on a steep convex roll in Grizzly Shoulder that day. 

On Tuesday we skied conservative tree lines in lower NRC Gully and just along the trim line on MacDonald West Shoulder. The day started out with "upside down" storm snow but we could feel it settling over the day and the skiing and avalanche conditions improved.

On Wednesday in Bonney Trees the snow was definitely "right side up" with great skiing. No wind effect in this area. Thursday we did a short tour to Christiana Glades and found the same. On the walk out the snow on the McGill side of Bostock Creek was moist on the sun.

By the end of the week our main concerns were cornices and lingering windslabs in the alpine/treeline, and tree wells and creek holes at lower elevations.

Mark Klassen

IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide

www.alpinism.com

[MCR] Mount Hector - Rockies

Hi all,

Today we enjoyed some nice ankle deep powder and fabulous views on the regular north facing glacier route on mount Hector. We did not summit, our high point was at 3100m along the Northwest shoulder. We had sunny skies in the AM and overcast in the PM. It was a comfortable day with temperatures ranging from -5 to -16 Celsius and very light winds from the North at higher elevation. We saw no new avalanches or signs of instability.

Traveling conditions were quite variable on this tour. The lower approach head wall was reasonable; there was an old avalanche debris on this slope which increased our confidence about being there and made for good travel. The exposed flat terrain and convoluted moraines leading to the toe of the North Glacier sported variable to no snow cover, we had to walk here and there. It was a little tedious at time and definitely slowed us down. The snow coverage on the north glacier ranged from 120cm to 300cm. For the most part it felt firm, looked good covered and sure skied well.

Of note was an exposed, bulge like, glacier roll at around 3150m striped right down to bare ice. From our vantage point, it looked to be spanning across the width of the normal route. It is unknown if one can ski around it. Until we get more snow, crampons may be useful to cross this section.

Enjoy the sun!

David Lussier
ACMG-IFMGA Mountain Guide
www.summitmountainguides.com

[MCR] Carlsberg Column - Field, BC

Had a great time guiding Carlsberg Column in Field today!

 

Temperatures ranged from -7'C to -1'C which made for good plastic ice and comfortable climbing.  At present the avalanche hazard on the route seems quite minimal although there is enough snow around to challenge that idea if conditions change suddenly (significant warming or new snow).

 

The route is in excellent shape and the trails between pitches are back in place...due to some serious wallowing at times.  We climbed a centre line on the main pitch which provided interesting technical climbing with good protection throughout and nice dry ice.  The left side was dripping today.  A single 60m rope was adequate for rappelling the route.

 

Guiness Gully, Masseys, Superbock and Cool Spring all looked in good condition from the road and seemed like reasonable places to be in as of today. 

 

Cheers, Conrad Janzen

ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide

www.banffmountainguides.com

[MCR] Rockies, Coire Dubh

I guided/instructed an ascent of Coire Dubh to the top of the corner crack (this is the right hand option that starts the Integral), yesterday, Feb 1st.

The ice on the route is growing where there is water and shrinking on the edges were it is detaching from the rock and sublimating. There has been a loss of snow volume since my last trip there on January 6th. There is low -to no- avalanche danger on the route right now, but having said that there are some cornices at the top. We climbed the rock pitch without crampons and it was super fun!

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard
Mountain Guide
www.barryblanchard.ca
www.yamnuska.com

_______________________________________________
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.

[MCR] Crowfoot mountain area-Rockies-New natural avalanche

Hi All,

Today we toured up the regular Northwest flank of Crowfoot mountain. We enjoyed decent ankle deep powder under scattered skies and very little winds. The snow pack in this area is as reported previously, it felt very supportive in the deeper areas and we did not see signs of instability. We measured upwards of 200cm of snow on the small glacier below Crowfoot mountain.

Of note was a fresh looking size 3 slab avalanche at 2800m off the North face of Vultur Peak. This peak is located 1.7 km Northeast of Mount Olive and can be seen from the canyon when approaching the Bow hut (see photo). This is an extremely steep unsupported start zone however it appear that the bed surface was last summer snow/ice surface. The fracture line looked to be many meters deep. The debris did not seem to have reach the access route to the Bow hut.

According to some of folks we saw skiing out from Bow hut (and previous posts), there were ongoing strong Southerly winds transporting snow in this areas last night which may have been the trigger. This may be an isolated event or terrain dependent but it shows that there is still potential for full depth avalanches with significant loading.

Keep your heads up!

David Lussier
ACMG-IFMGA Mountain Guide
www.summitmountainguides.com