[MCR] ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued November 8th, 2012

ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued November 8th, 2012 Winter is easing in gently to these ranges. Terrible winter driving on the east slope of the Rockies today and the forecast is for snow there till late friday. Reports are coming in about some decent skiing in the high treeline and alpine in the interior and some areas in the Rockies. Assume it will be really rugged at lower elevations and that slow speeds and big skis are great ideas. Parks Canada is putting out avalanche bulletins and they are worth reading. Keep in mind with those reports and with this MCR summary that we have relatively few observations to go by at this time of year. Anywhere you go in the alpine expect to be your own avalanche forecaster. The consequences of a ride in an avalanche are likely higher than later in the year as the potential to be raked across rocks is much higher in this shallow snowpack. To quote the Glacier Park bulletin--"33 cm of storm snow in the past 36 hrs has resulted in an instability over a crust and old snow. This has been observed in a small avalanche cycle with size 2 to 3 avalanches early Nov 7 and shows in stability tests at treeline" They have also had alpine and treeline winds from the south up to 60 kmh in the past 3 days That is going to help the snow cover but definitely means you need your brain turned up high for choosing where to ski in the Columbia mtns People are getting after some ice climbing and the cold temperatures in the Rockies forecasts should help the ice hold together. Beware those little fresh snow drifts above cliffs and in gullies and think about what is way over your head with all this new snow, wind and changing temperatures in the Rockies. Glacier travel will be sporty for awhile yet as we really do not have a settled snowpack on the glaciers at this time. Days are short and the mountains are somewhat unfriendly. Have a fine weekend that contributes to you having a fine rest of winter. Survive and thrive! Next week will be the final MCR summary for the season. The Canadian Avalanche Centre should be starting up their public bulletins around that time. Thanks for tuning in. Larry Stanier ACMG 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.

[MCR] Rockies, Amadeus

I climbed Amadeus today, November 7, with my friend, Juan. The climb is in marginal and serious shape. Almost all of the ice is detached with water running behind it, hopefully tonight's cold temps weld it back to the rock. We took, and used, a pretty full rock rack. A number 3 camalot would be great to have on the slab pitch. We took a belay on rock left of the first pillar at the far end of the slab. We could see daylight, and water, behind the first pillar and opted to climb a good dry tooling crack that leads to the three bolt halfway belay on the left side. The upper half was climbed on ice, almost all of which gonged.

A fresh 5 cm of snow in Canmore right now.

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard
UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide
http://www.barryblanchard.ca
http://www.yamnuska.com
barryb3@telus.net
1 403 609 4615
cell 1 403 609 1321

[MCR] Murchison Falls

Yesterday while returning from Murchison Falls, a party reported running
into a large grizzly bear near tree-line. The bear was within 30 or so
metres from them. It is a reminder that although it is early winter,
bears are still active. Should anyone else go climbing there, please
report any other sightings to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.

Murchison Falls is in and climbable.

Marc Ledwidge
Manager, Visitor Safety
Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks
Parks Canada
220 Hawk Avenue, Box 900, Banff, AB
T1L 1K2
Ph: 403-762-1401
www.parksmountainsafety.ca
www.parcsecuritemontagne.ca

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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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
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[MCR] Rogers Pass - Bruins Pass

Today I went up Connaught Creek with a couple of friends towards Bruins Pass to check out conditions. The temperature was +1 deg at the parking lot, with isothermal snow and rain runnels up to around 1950m elevation, followed by a short elevation band of breakable crust, then very good powder skiing above 2100m. A test profile at 2215m at noon on a South East aspect showed a snowpack of 120cm, comprised mostly of rounded grains and no significant layers; the air temp was -0.5 deg. We had thick fog on the ridge and turned around just before the pass itself. We skied all the way back to the car, managing to avoid most of the rocks and alder. We did not observe any new avalanches today, although visibility was limited. Photo attached looking towards Ursus Minor from Hospital Knob (taken on the way down when it started to clear!).

Alex Geary
ACMG Ski Guide & Apprentice Rock Guide

[MCR] Selkirk Mtns, Revelstoke South

Hi All!

Spent yesterday at McCrae Mtn yesterday and found early season conditions similar to reports from Revelstoke North. Additional observations:

- +0.5 deg @ 2300m at 1:30pm
- snowpack depth of 1 to 1.5m in the Alp, to less than 50cm below treeline
- evidence of recent wind loading from SW flow in the Alp
- snowpack felt well consolidated in areas skied with no crusts encountered in repeated probe checks
- snow surface was moist below 2200m
- afternoon flurries changed to rain below 1900m

Of note were the numerous early season hazards thinly covered, especially below treeline. Challenging ski conditions were encountered on the access trail.

Please ski safe & cautiously; it is only Nov 2nd after all, quite early in the early ski season!

Dave Healey
ACMG Ski Guide
CAA Professional Member
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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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml/unsubscribe to remove your name from this list.

[MCR] ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued November 1, 2012

ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued November 1, 2012 Winter season is definitely upon us. Good skiing is being found up high in the Columbia/Monashee region with a fairly high freezing level for this time of year. Snowpack in this area at treeline probably ranges from about 60cm to over a meter. Conditions below treeline will be very rugged (or even dry) for a while yet so be prepared to walk or abuse your gear. In the Canadian Rockies the usual high elevation early season destinations are being skied, such as Rae Glacier, Robertson Glacier, and the Wapta with decent coverage on the glaciers (in the 100cm range). Forget about skiing anywhere below treeline right now. The typical early season Rockies ice climbs are getting climbed in the high north locations such as R&D, Stanley Headwall and so on. Snow in alpine areas has accumulated to the point where we need to be concerned about avalanche hazard. On October 23rd British Columbia had the first avalanche fatality of the season when a surveyor was swept over a cliff by a small avalanche near Stewart. This is exactly the kind of situations that ice climbers need to be cautious of right now. High alpine climbing and skiing can get you onto and beneath big features that by now have enough snow for a large, destructive avalanche. If you do venture onto glaciers in the next couple of months be especially vigilant in protecting yourself against crevasse hazards. The surface snow may be great for skiing, but bridges will be thin and weak. Ice climbs at this time of year can be excellent, with interesting, thin climbing on plastic ice, but remember to ease in and get your head back into the game. Local forums like Gravsports-ice are the place to go to find up to the minute beta on specific route conditions. Finally, it's been cold and wet for a while and shows no sign of warming up much. Remember to bring lots of clothing and have a plan for dealing with the cold in the event of an accident. Tom Wolfe ACMG 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.

[MCR] Skiing north of Revelstoke

Hi folks,

I was skiing north of Revelstoke on Tuesday and found the same conditions as Rudi reported from his area. The skiing conditions were really quit good, especially considering the time of year. A snowmobile got us up above the freezing level quickly and we toured from there finding a surprising amount of snow and very good ski quality.

The freezing levels are pretty high right now but if you can get above them it is most definitely a pretty good start to the winter so far!

All the best,

Ian Tomm
ACMG Ski Guide
CAA Professional Member

Sent from mobile.
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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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml/unsubscribe to remove your name from this list.