[MCR] Rogers Pass avalanche

A skier triggered size 3+ avalanche occurred late this afternoon on Grizzly Gully, off the summit of Grizzly Peak.  The first skier of five did a ski cut in the start zone with no result.  The second skier in made another ski cut, again with no result.  Upon doing a kick turn in a shallow area however, the slope in the start zone failed down 1.5-2 meters, producing a large avalanche that ran to 1700 meters (the pinch-point of the Grizzly path).  It ran 800 vertical meters, over about a kilometre.  The snow lower in the path was primarily storm snow, down about 50cm.   One skier was involved, sustaining serious injuries, and a second lost some equipment.

Although conditions seem to have stabilized in Rogers Pass, with few new natural avalanches running over the past few days, some instabilities still linger near the base of the snowpack.  It is unknown whether this was related to a buried surface hoar layer from earlier in the year, or whether it was wind loading of the large amount of storm snow from last week.

Sylvia Forest

Mountain Guide

[MCR] Rogers Pass

Good skiing again on a couple of laps in Macdonald West Shoulder/NRC Gully today. I've also had a report of good skiing on Dome Glacier and another group of friends went to Little Sifton although I'm not sure if they made it over today.

There was a widespread cycle of very large avalanches (to size 4.5) during the last storm cycle but I talked to one of the avalanche forecasters at the end of the day and he hadn't seen anything new in highway corridor. The surface hoar that was an issue awhile back also seems to be dormant for the time being at least in the areas I've been skiing recently - mostly trees.

That said, it sounded as if there was an incident in the Connaught valley, perhaps in the Grizzly Mtn/upper Grizzly Bowl area. This would go with the observations we made in that open areas at treeline and above have had recent wind effect and wind slabs are a probability up there.

As is usually the case, if you go where the snow is soft with quality skiing and avoid areas where the wind has got at it making the skiing crap you may well also avoid the major avalanche problems right now.

Mark Klassen
IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide
www.alpinism.com/SORCERER-LODGE
_______________________________________________
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] Avalanche season in the Rockies

It's avalanche season again, and Parks Canada will be periodically conducting avalanche control on all avalanche paths that threaten major highways in Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.    If you're planning on climbing or skiing in Banff, Yoho, or Kootenay Parks this winter, you need to be aware of which areas may be affected by avalanche control, and how to check if there is any control planned in these areas.  
There will be signage located at common trailheads for climbing on Mounts Bourgeau (Banff), Stephen and Dennis (Yoho), and skiing on Mt. Whymper (Kootenay).  

The signs look like this:

If the signage indicates that avalanche control is planned, the area is closed for recreation: DO NOT ENTER.  Most of the time, the signage will indicate that there is no avalanche control planned, and the area will be open for recreation.

In addition to the signage, Parks Canada will post a warning to the public avalanche bulletin for Banff, Yoho and Kootenay, Parksmountainsafety Twitter and Facebook, the MCR, and community webpages such as Gravsports-ice.com, and Big-lines.com.  

Remember, Parks Canada is conducting avalanche control to protect the highways, and is NOT making the areas safe for recreation.

Finally, be on the lookout for undetonated explosives while recreating in these areas, and contact Parks Canada at 403-762-1470, if any are found.  

Please respect this system and check for closures before recreating in these areas, so that we can all continue enjoying the permit-free system that exists in Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.  

Have a safe winter!

Ian Jackson
Visitor Safety Technician
Banff, Yoho, Kootenay National Parks

[MCR] Large Avalanches-West Coast

I received the following link this evening with some good footage of large avalanches - figured they were worth passing on. These occurred today, November 28th, during Blackcomb ski patrol's avalanche control work. The slope is in the Blackcomb Glacier area locally known as Corona, which is above you on the skiers right as you descend Blackcomb Glacier. The debris and powder cloud from this avalanche cover the regular Blackcomb Glacier ski run. http://youtu.be/O65CFK0zoFk

A darn good reminder of what avalanche forecasters mean by low probability, high consequence avalanches. Check out the forecasts below-and keep in mind the limited amount of observations available this time of year.

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/weather/advisory/index.htm

http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/latest/sea-to-sky

Anna Brown

Ski Guide

[MCR] National Parks Avalanche Control Nov 28

Parks Canada is planning avalanche control for Monday, November 28th on Mounts Bosworth and Stephen (Yoho), and Whymper (Kootenay).  No outdoor activity of any kind in these areas on Monday.  

Thanks  for your co-operation.

Ian Jackson
Visitor Safety Technician
Banff, Yoho, Kootenay National Parks
Parks Canada
220 Hawk Avenue, Box 900, Banff, AB
T1L 1K2        
Ph: 403-762-1480
Cell: 403-431-0563
www.parksmountainsafety.ca
www.parcsecuritemontagne.ca

 

 

Peter Tucker
Executive Director
B: +1.403.949.3587
M: +1.403.689.4324
ed@acmg.ca  |  www.acmg.ca

 

[MCR] Ice Climbing - Evan Thomas, Haffner, Grotto, King Creek

Hello,

Spent 4 days last week out Ice guiding with Yamnuska's Mountain Skills Semester.

The High danger rating in the Avalanche bulletin kept us away from avalanche terrain pretty much all week. 

We went back a few times with different groups to the routes at Evan Thomas Creek. Snowline and Moonlight were in great shape, with mostly soft plastic ice the whole way (on both) with good protection. A few shorter screws are useful on the starts of both lines. Chantilly was good to go too, but sounded like it was hosing in places.

In Grotto Canyon, His and Hers are both climbable but maybe a little tougher than usual. Grotto falls is fat and plastic and sounded super busy over Sat. and Sun.

Spent some time at Haffner and King Creek as well. Haffner has room for about 5 pure ice lines at the main area and the most of the mixed routes are good to go. Busiest I've ever seen in there this weekend, and a great crew all happy to share ropes and be social - good fun. Same went for King Creek, lot's of ice there and good to go.

Was also up the Icefields Parkway yesterday for an AST course at Bow Summit. Snowing about 2cm's/hr when we left at about 3 pm. Locally  SW moderate/strong winds while we were there. Didn't go anywhere near avalanche terrain all day. Roads were plowed one way (northbound lane) as we came home but still a fair bit of snow on the other side. Passable but good tires and clearance would be a good thing if your heading up there.

Have fun out there!

Mike Trehearne

Alpine Guide & Asst. Ski Guide

mike@cloudnineguides.com

www.yamnuska.com

[MCR] Monashee Mountains - Perry River area

I figured it was worth posting some info from the Monashees – the locale is north of the TCH highway and west of Revelstoke.

 

Numerous profiles have established that the Nov.11 Surface hoar layer is widespread within the Treeline elevation(observations of the Alpine terrain have been limited to visual only). Though the layer is collapsed in the profiles we have observed, the crystals are in the 10-15mm. range, this is significantly larger than what I have observed in the Rogers Pass area. Difficult to trigger but still showing the potential to propagate (Sudden Planar compression results as well as positive Propogation Saw Test results).

 

The majority of the snowpack is well settled which has created a strong slab overlying this deeper persistent weak layer (now down @150cms). The Oct. 20^th crust is evident just above the ground interface at this elevation and is generally tied up in the lower ground roughness at this elevation – makes me wonder what is looks like in the Alpine terrain.

 

Another key observation is the presence of numerous glide slabs (when the whole snowpack is slowly moving on smooth grassy or rock slab features) – some in places where we have never seen them before – there could have been a couple of releases today but foggy weather made observations difficult.

 

Temps dropped this afternoon accompanied with significant winds – last nights and today’s snowfall improved ski conditions significantly from yesterdays shin bruising freezing rain crust.

 

Lots of uncertainty about what is going on up high and we have been avoiding larger open steep treeline features – still lots of great skiing with better than average early season coverage!

 

Cheers,

Scott Davis

AACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide