Photos of the local climbs this morning.
Conrad Janzen
Visitor Safety Technician
Visitor Safety Technician
Waterton Lakes National Park
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
[MCR] White Queen, Whitewater Ski Resort, Selkirk Mountains
Just got back from a tour to the summit of White Queen via the west
ridge on a well-beaten up-track. A few small wind slabs dotted the
route higher up. These were inconsequential but are still worth
noting. Encountering one of these on a steep or exposed slope could
knock someone off their feet and send them down.
Also noteworthy is the thin melt/freeze crust on open, sun-exposed
slopes all the way from the summit to the valley. The inversion of
earlier this week finally saw south facing slopes warmed up above
freezing. The crust affected ski quality, but aggressive turning made
short work of it. It was less noticeable in the trees, but a harder
crust ringing tree wells was more of a problem. Hitting one of these
unexpectedly could send you on your butt or through the air like
Superman. Ride with care.
Unfortunately, the forecast for next week doesn't include much new
snow. When the next dump does come, hopefully the crust won't cause any
lingering stability problems. We need more new snow, the terrain around
the Whitewater Ski Resort is starting to look pretty shredded.
Although, I'm sure there are still some secret stashes of powder out
there, just gotta find them.
Cheers,
Craig Hollinger,
ACMG Apprentice 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.
ridge on a well-beaten up-track. A few small wind slabs dotted the
route higher up. These were inconsequential but are still worth
noting. Encountering one of these on a steep or exposed slope could
knock someone off their feet and send them down.
Also noteworthy is the thin melt/freeze crust on open, sun-exposed
slopes all the way from the summit to the valley. The inversion of
earlier this week finally saw south facing slopes warmed up above
freezing. The crust affected ski quality, but aggressive turning made
short work of it. It was less noticeable in the trees, but a harder
crust ringing tree wells was more of a problem. Hitting one of these
unexpectedly could send you on your butt or through the air like
Superman. Ride with care.
Unfortunately, the forecast for next week doesn't include much new
snow. When the next dump does come, hopefully the crust won't cause any
lingering stability problems. We need more new snow, the terrain around
the Whitewater Ski Resort is starting to look pretty shredded.
Although, I'm sure there are still some secret stashes of powder out
there, just gotta find them.
Cheers,
Craig Hollinger,
ACMG Apprentice 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.
[MCR] Howson Range, NW British Columbia, Burnie Glacier
I just spent the past week skiing out of the Burnie Glacier Chalet in
NW British Columbia with family and friends.
The snowpack in the alpine is about 250 cm and ski quality ranged from
excellent to fair where wind affected. The midpack is well settled
with no significant stability concerns. Basal facets seem to be doing
nothing and are strong. It's shaping up to be another excellent
snowpack in the Howsons this winter.
The Dec 30 storm brought strong SW winds and less than 10 cm of snow
to the area, creating sastrugi and thin wind slabs in open terrain.
These wind slabs, which were our primary avalanche concern, produced
little in the way of natural avalanche activity (apart from in steep
unskiable terrain and small steep loaded pockets) and settled out
quickly producing no results in ski cutting the day after the storm.
Alpine avalanche hazard decreased from Considerable to Moderate
throughout the week.
We enjoyed a variety of tours from high alpine (Loft Glacier,
Solitaire Glacier) to treeline and BTL powder skiing (Lakehead Peak's
Ptarmigan runs, Tom George Mtn.) An excellent week in the mountains
and a great way to bring in the New Year.
Regards,
Tom Wolfe
Mountain Guide ACMG/IFMGA
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.
NW British Columbia with family and friends.
The snowpack in the alpine is about 250 cm and ski quality ranged from
excellent to fair where wind affected. The midpack is well settled
with no significant stability concerns. Basal facets seem to be doing
nothing and are strong. It's shaping up to be another excellent
snowpack in the Howsons this winter.
The Dec 30 storm brought strong SW winds and less than 10 cm of snow
to the area, creating sastrugi and thin wind slabs in open terrain.
These wind slabs, which were our primary avalanche concern, produced
little in the way of natural avalanche activity (apart from in steep
unskiable terrain and small steep loaded pockets) and settled out
quickly producing no results in ski cutting the day after the storm.
Alpine avalanche hazard decreased from Considerable to Moderate
throughout the week.
We enjoyed a variety of tours from high alpine (Loft Glacier,
Solitaire Glacier) to treeline and BTL powder skiing (Lakehead Peak's
Ptarmigan runs, Tom George Mtn.) An excellent week in the mountains
and a great way to bring in the New Year.
Regards,
Tom Wolfe
Mountain Guide ACMG/IFMGA
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.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
[MCR] Snivelling Gully
To echo Marco's note on the sun, we dodged some hangfire today as well. Nothing as big as what he endured, but enough to have us turn around. We started on Weeping Wall left, but eventually traversed over to Snivelling Gully. The sun was packing a punch and soon many snow mushrooms were releasing along with some icicles. Nothing really big, but enough to push a leader off and gain more mass on its way.
Seems like the cold and clear nights along with the later heat of the sun is creating some bullet proof ice in the mornings too!
Sarah Hueniken
ACMG Alpine Guide
www.sarahhueniken.com
ACMG Alpine Guide
www.sarahhueniken.com
[MCR] Rockies- Bow Summit neighbourhood Jan 3rd, 2012
Been skiing a little bit south, west and north of Bow Summit in the past few days. Snowpack generally feels good but it's ski quality and strength continues to deteriorate in the cold temperatures and recent winds.
Today in shallow snowpack areas North of Bow Summit, ski penetration was variable from HARD crust in the open alpine to skis almost to the ground in sheltered areas below treeline. Loose surface snow (Surface hoar and facets) below treeline may be a future weak layer. The nasty wind will at least have beaten up this surface layer in some of the open treeline and alpine.
No Chinook along the divide today and it was darn COLD in the shade and downflowing air.
Worked well today going downhill to watch for the ripples and avoid the chalky looking snow surface.
Larry Stanier
ACMG Mountain Guide
laristan@telus.net
_______________________________________________
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.
Today in shallow snowpack areas North of Bow Summit, ski penetration was variable from HARD crust in the open alpine to skis almost to the ground in sheltered areas below treeline. Loose surface snow (Surface hoar and facets) below treeline may be a future weak layer. The nasty wind will at least have beaten up this surface layer in some of the open treeline and alpine.
No Chinook along the divide today and it was darn COLD in the shade and downflowing air.
Worked well today going downhill to watch for the ripples and avoid the chalky looking snow surface.
Larry Stanier
ACMG Mountain Guide
laristan@telus.net
_______________________________________________
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] Kitty Hawk
I attempted Kitty Hawk today, with one of my strongest guest. I was up high relatively early, did the approach in the dark so I couldn't tell what the upper bowl looked like. With a 70 meter rope I did one pitch so I tucked away underneath the overhang well protected beside the crux pitch. I was just considering on retreating due to warmer temps. A huge avalanche flew over us ( size 2 to 2.5), 20 minutes later one more flew above us. The second one we were tucked away at the base of the 1st pitch. We retreated real fast leaving two ropes and a screw. Just like Barry Mentioned in his last post despite the Moderate to Lo hazard rating, the sun is quite strong. At the car it looked like there is still enough snow to come down with the right trigger.
If anyone decides to go climb it when the conditions changes a bottle of scotch or beer if I get my gear back. (cell--403-609-1074)
Off tomorrow to some place with no avalanche hazard.
Cheers,
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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml#unsubscribe to remove your name from this list.
If anyone decides to go climb it when the conditions changes a bottle of scotch or beer if I get my gear back. (cell--403-609-1074)
Off tomorrow to some place with no avalanche hazard.
Cheers,
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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml#unsubscribe to remove your name from this list.
[MCR] Mt Kidd Ice Routes, Kananaskis Country
Public Safety Program
Kananaskis Country, AB
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