[MCR] Snowpack update for Glacier/Purcell's/Yoho

February 28th, 2014

Hello

I have been guiding and poking around in quite a few areas within the vicinity of Golden this week.   

Looking at the snowpack and how the Feb 10th layer is healing.

I've been as far West as Bostock creek in Glacier park.  In this area, the February 10th layer is producing no result or at the far end of hard results.  It is down about 90-120cm's.  At tree line and below I have looked on all but North aspects.

Around the Info centre at Roger's Pass, the results have been consistently the same.  Hard results, 

similar depth, same aspects.

Around the  Selkirk's, this layer is starting to bond.  There is also evidence of aggressive ski tracks in bigger alpine features I have noticed, that also back up this theory….. Things are healing.  I not sure about the North aspect though.

On the East side of Glacier, I was skiing in the vicinity of the East side of Mount Tupper. I dug twice around tree line on South and East aspects.  Test results where similar to the other areas West, in Glacier.  But, the difference in this area is significant evidence of wind effect on the upper snowpack.  The upper snowpack felt hallow and funky.  With numerous density changes in the upper 50 cm's.  This produced moderate snow pit test results.   The wind effect is related to the cold temperatures we've experienced to the East.   The McDonald weather station info this week, backs this up.

Around the Purcell's (Golden) and Emerald Lake (Yoho) the February 10th layer is producing test results on the easier side of moderate, with a sudden collapse character.  The depth of this layer varies around 40-70 cm's.  I have had a lot of whumpfing in these area's, this week.  Looking at the pit wall, the February 10th interface is completely obvious.  There's little bond happening on this layer, unlike on the central and west side of Glacier.  

Because of the cold weather on the Eastern side of the Columbia's and the Rockies, this layer has not had a chance to properly heal.  There is still a very good chance of skier triggered avalanches.

East of the Selkirk's, I have no confidence in any big alpine/tree line terrain. Which hasn't previously been skied to moguls... For the matter, I still have no confidence in any big, steep, terrain anywhere around here….No matter how much I dig.

Be careful around the Western Rockies and Purcell's this weekend.

Jonny Simms                             

ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide

1(604)815-9225

Golden, BC

http://jonnysimms.com

[MCR] Crowfoot Glacier - Rockies

Skied with two friends to the Crowfoot Glacier today (AKA Ferris Glacier across from Bow Hut).  Of note is that once across Bow Lake, there is extensive flood ice (way more than usual).  This is not so much a problem at the end of the day, but it required a bit of a detour along the south edge in the morning to avoid getting skis and skins wet.  The Bow Canyon is well filled in and easy travelling.  Once in the moraines and on the glacier, there was little wind effect and skiing quality was very good.  There are the usual rock hazards in the moraines.  There was no evidence of recent ski traffic around Bow Hut and from a distance, it looked like ski quality in that area of the Wapta would be OK.  The forecasted deep freeze will likely keep people at bay for a few days yet.

 

We kept to lower angle terrain (below 30 degrees) and had numerous whumpfing in the moraines and on the glacier that we suspect is on the Feb 10 interface.  There was natural activity up to size 2 in the Jimmy Simpson area on sun exposed aspects in thin rocky areas that we suspect is from the past 24 hours.

 

Marc Ledwidge

MG

 

via

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

 

[MCR] Coastal Ice

Spent the last 4 days ice climbing.

Feb 23: Honeyman Falls open water on the climbers left side good lines on the right. 

Feb 24: Marble Canyon climbed the Deeping Wall and 1st pitch of Icy BC, fat conditions.

Feb 25: The Ramble left and centre good conditions, plastic ice.

Feb 26: Cal-Cheak: Get off the Couch is still in but melting quickly.

Mat Valade

ACMG/IFMGA MG

driftwoodadventures.com

[MCR] SARS on ice - Cougar in area

Hello,

 

 

Wanted to get this info out sooner but I was out of cell and email coverage until now.

 

I guided a small group at 'SARS on Ice' in the David Thompson area on February 22nd.  On the hike out we ran into a large cougar, which ran up a tree 150m in front of us, in the direction we were travelling.  We walked right underneath it, snapping one quick picture along the way. What an amazing experience.

 

Even though the feline may have moved on from the area, just wanted to give everyone a heads up.

 

 

The ice at SARS was in good shape.

 

 

 

Kristopher Irwin – ACMG Alpine Guide
www.rockies-ice.com

 

[MCR] Avalanche Control - Coquihalla February 25, 2014

The Ministry of Transportation will be conducting helicopter explosives control on Tuesday, February 25. The Coquihalla will be closed from 9:00am-1:00pm between Hope and Merritt. Please do not ski/snowshoe on slopes facing the highway. Examples of some, but not all areas that we may do control in are: Yak/Nak/Thar area, Markor N Slide path (Lunch Run) and Two Bears. See attached google images for closure areas (Red Polygons).

Please do not park at the Zopkios Sand Shed or Box Canyon South Bound Pull Out. If you are planning to head to the Coquihalla check DriveBC for updated road closure times. Areas that we will not be doing explosives control in are Needle Ridge/Bowl, Zoa, Falls Lake, Coq Lakes Ridge (Toll Booth) and Ottomite/Iago.

When you return to your vehicle, take the time to ensure the highway is open. If you do not see numerous vehicles go by in a five minute span, the road is still closed. Stay in the parking area until you see that traffic has resumed.

Thanks for your co-operation, play safe.

Paul Harwood
Avalanche Technician
BC MoTI North Cascades Program

[MCR] Johnston Canyon.

Climbed at Johnston today.
Temperatures were colder than in the previous days (-16).

By the end of the day the ice was starting to crack in places. I noticed no failures but I might give the pillars a fair amount of respectful space this weekend.

The trail is icy. My guest had those yak trax grip things for the walk. I had a smirk...by the return to the car.. I thought I would likely purchase a pair.


Patrick Delaney
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

Sent from my iPhone
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[MCR] Sunshine and Malignant Mushroom

Adam R. and I climbed both routes today.  They have recovered from the warms temps and sun from a couple weeks ago.  Both routes are in good shape with good protection throughout.

 

The drive in is getting easier by the day as the snow settles and we saw 2 Subarus make the trip into the south ghost.

 

1 cm of snow accumulation and snowing lightly when we drove off at 3pm.

 

 

Malignant

 

Kristopher Irwin – ACMG Alpine Guide

www.rockies-ice.com