[MCR] Athabasca avalanches

Spent the day today on the lower north glacier do some training with
a large group. snow was quite mushy with little signs of a freeze
overnight. Snowpack was quite mushy where the snowpack was 1 metre or
less. Difficult travel.....

Rainy in the am but clearing later with moderate to strong gusty
winds at upper elevations. A few centimeters of new snow on the rocks
above 2600 metres. Higher up on the big peaks there is a lot of new
snow. There is certainly more snow on Athabasca now than last year at
the same time, and more than a week ago.

We from a 3rd parth of an ice avalanche off the smaller seracs on
the right of the Silverhorn which are visible in the picture. this
was supposedly a few days ago.

As well at almost exactly 500pm a few of us witnessed a good size
2-2.5 avalanche off of the Silverhorn route. Good air-born powder
cloud and debris to the bottom of the Nunatak left of Silverhorn.
Fracture line is about 2/3rds the way up the face.

Looks like some other rain triggered activity here and there on the
drive back to Jasper.

Peter Amann.

Peter Amann
Jeremy Mackenzie
pamann@incentre.net

[MCR] Mt Columbia

Hello,

Nick Sharp, the Mountain Skills Semester and I just returned from Mt Columbia (May 28-June 2). Our trip consisted of approaching via the Saskatchewan glacier to the trench, summiting Mt Columbia and exiting via the Athabasca glacier. The snow line on the Saskatchewan glacier is at about 2200m so expect to be carrying skis for a long way. The snow depths however, quickly increase to well over 3 meters. Unsettled weather for the past 6 days provided a variety of white out conditions, about 15 cm of snow, and temperatures ranging from -11 to +15. On Sunday 10 - 15cm of snow fell at The Trench and was accompanied by moderate NE winds. We were expecting to find wind slab on the east face of Columbia but none was found and we were able to summit with perfect step kicking conditions.
Yesterday, with an early start, we descended the Athabasca glacier from a camp at 2800 meters. With a marginal freeze (-2.5C at 4:30am) we decended through snow flurries and into light rain by 2500 meters. I can't say it was an enjoyable experience. We were able to ski right to the toe of the Athabasca, which was a quick and easy way to finish the trip.

There was a fair bit of snow on Mt Athabasca and Mt Andromeda but with a good freeze and a caution for isolated wind slabs I think you could find good climbing conditions.

Jesse de Montigny
ACMG Ski Guide and Assistant Alpine Guide

Nick Sharp
ACMG/UIAGM Mountain Guide

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

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[MCR] Rockies, hike/scramble Mt Rundle, EEOR

Hiked and scrambled up the east summit of Mt Rundle (above EEOR [East End of Rundle]) today, May 30th,  from the Goat Creek parking lot. Boot top snow with knee deep drifts above tree line. A lot of the snow below tree line was, and had, melted by the time we were descending.

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard

Mountain Guide

www.barryblanchard.ca

www.yamnuska.com

[MCR] ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 27, 2010

ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 27, 2010 Weather conditions across the Interior and Rocky Mountain regions were generally unsettled over the past week, with scattered amounts of light snow and cool temperatures dominating the higher elevations. The weather is deteriorating significantly right now (Thursday evening), as a strong upslope storm moves into the eastern side of the mountains. Expect up to 20 cm of snow at higher elevations in Banff Park for the start of the weekend, and Kananaskis Country will probably see the same. Areas to the north and west will be better, although not awesome. However, valley bottom highs of 15-20 degrees are expected in the BC Interior near Golden and Revelstoke – so warmer and less precipitation there. Expect winter conditions in all alpine areas this weekend with the new snow in the forecast. The old snowpack is well settled with no significant instabilities, but watch the bond of this new snow to old, where it's likely that small windslabs will develop in isolated areas (gullies, behind ridge crests, etc). The snowpack remains deep at higher elevations, and melt freeze conditions are key to fast travel. Several reports this past week indicated excellent travel on foot on frozen crusts. Ice climbing might still be found by keeners in alpine, north facing areas. Slipstream looks to be huge and blue; probably climbable for a few weeks to come should the weather cooperate. Reports of good travel on trails and dry rock at lower elevations will change this weekend with the new snow, but crags on the western side of the ranges should be ok. Longer rock routes on the bigger cliffs like Yamnuska or Castle Mountain need a sunny aspect, realizing that shady areas and descent gullies are probably still packed with snow and ice. Peaks like Mt. Louis are still have significant snow on them, and trails near treeline are melting and muddy. Considering all of this, and the forecast – looks like a weekend for low elevation, non-technical stuff. Let the bad weather pass and then plan on some sun exposed rock climbing, muddy hiking or high elevation powder skiing for Sunday. The weather looks to be improving daily over the coming week, with highs reaching 20 by mid week. Grant Statham 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, Mt Yamnuska

Guided the east to west hike/scramble over Mt Yamnuska today, May 27th. Looks like the backside was basically dry with only a few small snow patches, but that was before today. Rained and snowed on us all day. 3 centimeters of new snow blanketing the backside. Snow down to the cliff bottom on the front side, then wet scree 50 meters lower. Looks like a bunch more snow coming tonight. I think that it will take a couple of days to melt off once the sun comes out. Front side trails are muddy ... surprise, surprise.

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard

Mountain Guide

www.barryblanchard.ca

www.yamnuska.com

[MCR] ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Coastal Mountains issued May 27th, 2010

ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Coastal Mountains issued May 27th, 2010 The coastal mountains are under the influence of cool and unsettled weather. NORTH COAST; Limited observations from the North Coast report about 70% of normal spring snowpack. This is resulting in less bridging over the crevasses than one would find in a "normal" year. Avalanche observations have reported nothing unusual, or significant to report. CENTRAL COAST; The higher alpine areas received some snow in the past week. Storm snow amounts vary, with up to 60cm reported in some areas. The weather in general appears to be drier in central coast than the southern areas. SOUTH COAST AND NORTH CASCADES The weather in the past week was dominated by pulses of moisture with short dry breaks between sytems. In alpine areas, the moisture fell as snow from time to time. The snowpack has consolidated and has been pretty good for travelling in North cascades / Washington Pass area. The skiing is good smooth spring skiing above 5000ft, and the boot penetration is minimal, with proper boots and an ice axe, you could make approaches to South aspect alpine rock. WEEKEND OUTLOOK; Unfortunately, the weather seems to be changing to "upslope" conditions, in other words, the east side of the range is getting moisture and isn't as dry as it usually is. As I am writing this, we are camped at Frenchmans's Coulee. There were some rain showers yesterday, but the rock is dry, and the temperature is perfect, a T shirt and a sweater was all you needed. Good Luck, and be flexible with plans! Paul Bernsten ACMG/IFMGA 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] Yamnuska - correction

Hey all, sorry about that – mixed that last post up a bit there.

We did not do the route in the Forbidden Corner area due to the visible snow still at the top of the route.

Have a good one!

 

 

Mike Trehearne

ACMG - Assistant Alpine Guide

m_trehearne@hotmail.com

+1.403.679.8080