Went for a ski tour in the Evening Ridge, White Queen area near
Whitewater Ski Resort today. Temps were in the -5C range throughout the
day, although may have warmed up a bit in the afternoon. Snowed lightly
but steadily all day, perhaps a couple of cm accumulated while I was
out. The winds were moderate (strong enough to blows some snow around)
out of the south west. Some pockets of soft windslab were forming along
the ridge tops above 1900m elevation.
I dug a pit on an open, east facing slope at 1900m. In it I found two
layers that reacted with moderate to hard compression tests. One of them
was the November 29 surface hoar layer which was down about 60cm. It
failed with a sudden collapse quality, indicating in my mind it's still
a concern on specific slopes. More loading from this storm and others
could make avalanches fail on it more easily. The other layer, down
about 25cm was another surface hoar layer which formed mid-late
December. It too failed with a sudden collapse quality.
Another thing that concerned me was how weak the lower snowpack had
become. I was in a place where the snowpack was shallower than the
average for the area (about 110cm) due to wind scouring. When I stepped
off my skis, a couple of times my feet plunged almost to the ground.
The snow down there had become very faceted (sugary) - snow grains that
don't stick together very well. I'm wondering how areas like this
(shallow, weak snowpack) will react to additional loading from this and
other storms.
Despite all this, I found the ski quality to be good, although the
coverage is still not up to normal levels. I chose conservative lines:
stayed off big open slopes, convex rolls, unsupported slopes and avoided
the wind slabs near the ridge tops.
Craig Hollinger,
ACMG Assistant Ski 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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml#unsubscribe to remove your name from this list.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
[MCR] Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park January 2, 2014
Excellent ski quality today on the 'practice slopes' up the Illecillewaet Valley today in Glacier Park. Snowing 1-2 cm/hr all day, and still dumping large white flakes at 9:00 pm in Revelstoke. Some photos are posted on my Facebook page. It was surprisingly not busy, we had the area to ourselves all day.
At 1700m on a SW aspect there was a 160cm snowpack. No results with compression tests in a test profile. No avalanche activity was observed, but visibility was limited.
Continuous heavy snowfall is continuing in the Selkirks and Monashees. Play safe if you venture out tomorrow!
[MCR] cac blogs
After my MCR message yesterday evening, our blogs crashed. We have a temporary fix in place: when you click a blog link on or website to the blogs or use the url: blogs.avalanche.ca you'll get to the site, where an error message says registration has been disabled but if you click any of the threads, it will open the blogs. My accident patterns post from yesterday doesn't show up in the threads but there is a link to it "Developing Accident Patterns?" under the recent posts header in the right sidebar.
we are working on the issue and hope to have the blogs back to normal soon.
Karl Klassen Canadian Avalanche Centre
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
[MCR] Purcell Mountains/Spillimachean Valley
We skied Caribou Ridge in the west end of the Spillimachean Valley today. In the cut blocks the snowpack is very weak with only 110cm at 1800m. There is a very thick surface hoar layer down 60cm with 10-20mm crystals. The slab above this layer is stiff enough to allow for wide propagation(1F-4F). The basal snowpack layers are also very weak and facetted.
We experienced numerous very large whumphs on the surface hoar layer which formed shooting cracks at least 50m+ distance in the 25 degree cutblock. With an extended column test this slab above the surface hoar propagated across the 90cm block with a sudden planar result (ECTP 28 SP). Once we got into the trees the snowpack seemed better consolidated but we skied conservatively in open glades. The alpine looks like it has had quite a bit of wind in the last week.
Play safe!
Kirsten Knechtel
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
Golden, BC
kirsten.knechtel@gmail.com
From: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@informalex.org>
Reply-To: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@informalex.org>
Date: Wednesday, 1 January, 2014 5:31 PM
To: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@informalex.org>
Subject: [MCR] accident patterns
Reply-To: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@informalex.org>
Date: Wednesday, 1 January, 2014 5:31 PM
To: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@informalex.org>
Subject: [MCR] accident patterns
We are seeing a bit of a trend in the last 10 days or so with accidents in the Golden area. I’m a little worried that this is the start of something bigger and more widespread as the holidays end and people are looking for that last big ride before heading back to work or school.
There’s a couple of new blog posts from the last few days here:
http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/forecaster-blog/
And Check out these accident reports from the last couple of days:
Dec 29th incident: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/library/incident-report-database/view/92a45229-a527-4355-a17d-1fc8f02d7eb5
Yesterday's incident: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/library/incident-report-database/view/a42b5c49-de79-43bc-b6b5-b7a45531dc5b
Stay safe.
Karl Klassen, Canadian Avalanche Centre
[MCR] East Columbia/Western Rockies Avalanche Summary for January 1st, 2014
Happy New Years skiers and climbers.
A heads up is needed for people skiing/riding in the East Columbia and Western Rockies. There have been numerous skier/rider involvement avalanches in the past few weeks around Golden. Some with minor injuries, some not so lucky. This is occurring in the East Columbia region and North in the Western Rockies. Involvements have been skiers either going for a ride in avalanche start zones or triggering a steep start zone slope and being lucky.
I have been out extensively this month around Glacier Park to Lake louise.
The problem in the East Columbia/Rockies region is a lack of strength in the whole snow pack. Failing on the ground or near ground. Occurring with some form of a trigger. Severe faceting exists in the lower snowpack. From the cold snap we had. Especially in start zones around rocks. This persistence won't be going away anytime soon unless this area gets a substantial warm wet system or an extended length of pleasant temperatures.
If you are set to touring in these areas, I emphasize the caution that is needed when managing bigger alpine and tree line terrain features. Staying out of the start zones and skiing ridges are a good idea.
In Glacier park, Not to be forgotten about is the persistent December 8th surface hoar layer down 80-120 cm's. This layer is producing inconsistent results on various aspects in the alpine and at tree line.
But…I have had numerous moderate sudden planar compression test results lately on this layer in the alpine. This gave me good reason to retreat or keep it toned down.
Terrain that seems manageable in Glacier, in the alpine are either low-moderate alpine slopes, ridge features, constricted features or alpine bowls that are manageable.
Glacier has received, steady amounts of new storm snow in the past few days of up to 25 cm's. Along Substantial winds from the West. This new storm layer down 20-30 cm's is reactive to skier traffic in steep terrain in the Alpine and at Tree line today. This issue will go away with some time.
The weather forecast for Thursday is calling for moderate amounts of new snow. More snow in the Selkirk's.
My concern is for the Purcell and Western Rockies. More accumulation is suppose to happen. I'm guessing without a significant avalanche cycle. Due to a lack of snow reaching threshold for an natural avalanche cycle to occur. This issue will pose an even greater risk for skier/rider triggered avalanches.
Again, this season is shaping up to be a tricky one. Especially for the East Columbia/Western Rockies regions.
I hope every one digs or will consider digging a snow pit before committing to a slope with any form of a consequence. Know what you are riding on.
Place safe and have lots of fun.
Jonny Simms
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide1(604)815-9225
Golden, BC
[MCR] Howsons 1 January 14
The Northern Coast Mountains between Smithers and Terrace have an
average snowpack for this time of the year. Temperatures are still warm,
but dropping. The snow is dry above 1200 m, and we received 10 cm of new
snow since yesterday. We are seeing little avalanche activity and so far
nothing worrisome in the snowpack. But there is a lot of wind effect in
the alpine and I expect quite a few wind slabs up there. Not a bad start
to the season!
--
Christoph Dietzfelbinger
IFMGA/ UIAGM Mountain Guide - Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet
CAA Professional Member
Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Canada
tel. 250-847-3351/ fax 250-847-2854
info@bearmountaineering.ca www.bearmountaineering.ca
_______________________________________________
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.
average snowpack for this time of the year. Temperatures are still warm,
but dropping. The snow is dry above 1200 m, and we received 10 cm of new
snow since yesterday. We are seeing little avalanche activity and so far
nothing worrisome in the snowpack. But there is a lot of wind effect in
the alpine and I expect quite a few wind slabs up there. Not a bad start
to the season!
--
Christoph Dietzfelbinger
IFMGA/ UIAGM Mountain Guide - Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet
CAA Professional Member
Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Canada
tel. 250-847-3351/ fax 250-847-2854
info@bearmountaineering.ca www.bearmountaineering.ca
_______________________________________________
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] accident patterns
We are seeing a bit of a trend in the last 10 days or so with accidents in the Golden area. I’m a little worried that this is the start of something bigger and more widespread as the holidays end and people are looking for that last big ride before heading back to work or school.
There’s a couple of new blog posts from the last few days here:
http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/forecaster-blog/
And Check out these accident reports from the last couple of days:
Dec 29th incident: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/library/incident-report-database/view/92a45229-a527-4355-a17d-1fc8f02d7eb5
Yesterday's incident: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/library/incident-report-database/view/a42b5c49-de79-43bc-b6b5-b7a45531dc5b
Stay safe.
Karl Klassen, Canadian Avalanche Centre
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