The ACC North Face crew spent the last day of our course in the Sunshine slack country. After all the avalanche activity we had see in the last 24 – 48 hours we decided not to push the terrain.
As we reported earlier the height of the snowpack was about 100cm but there is a lot of variability with many areas with as little as 70 – 80cm. Lots of cracking and whumpfing just about everywhere we travelled. Limited visibility during the day so no new activity to report.
Once again we used conservative terrain both up and down. We ascended Twin Cairns via the back side and worked the terrain to reduce our avalanche exposure to essentially zero. Broke trail to both summits on foot. Cornices along the ridge are still not huge but we gave them a good wide berth anyway. Wind was picking up along the summit ridge during the short time we spent up there. We stayed well clear of runout zones the entire day.
The ski down the back side was excellent with boot top powder. On several runs we encountered occasional weak spots which collapsed while descending giving several folks the opportunity to test the snowpack using the “head penetration” technique. Cranial penetration was 50 – 75cm. We did not ski the Wawa Bowl or Repeater ridge areas but stayed on terrain less than 25 degrees instead.
Skiing out on the groomers was pretty darn good even at the end of the day...
Cyril Shokoples MG
Matt Reynolds MG
ACC TNF Crew: J St-Pierre, F. Mulvenna, J. MacDonald, G. Miller, N. Steiner, Manouane, W. Strong, A. Revill, H. Davidson, S. Lambert
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Friday, January 29, 2016
[MCR] Rockies: Crowfoot Glades and Helen Shoulder
Two groups from the ACC TNF crew were out on Crowfoot Glades and Helen Shoulder today.
General Avalanche Observations: Numerous slab avalanches observed on Crowfoot Peak, Jimmy Simpson, Bow Peak and Dolomite Peak today, all from the last 24 hours. We estimate that we saw over 30 slabs out in our two groups today from our vantage points. Sizes ranged from size 1 to 3 with the biggest being the four major slide paths on Dolomite Peak running to valley bottom and starting from high in the start zones. Slab depth was generally about 40cm with some deeper. Some smaller slabs seen at treeline in some surprising places. Many larger slabs were in steep features and on moraines. It would generally be a bad time to jump into any significant sized features.
A cornice failure off Crowfoot falling onto the Crowfoot Glacier was witnessed at 14:30. Both groups travelling experienced whumpfing during the day with some cracking and evidence of soft slab formation. Some cracks travelled far though the terrain.
Snow pack on Crowfoot was about 150cm while on Helen Shoulder it was a bit over 100cm. Ski penetration was typically 30 to 50 cm. Occasionally you would sink to ground in weak spots around boulders and trees.
Both groups used conservative terrain on both up and down tracks with good group management. Terrain skied in the open was generally not in excess of 25 degrees and we pretty much avoided any avalanche terrain and overhead exposure. Despite this the ski quality was excellent.
Matt Reynolds MG
Cyril Shokoples MG
ACC TNF Crew: J St-Pierre, F. Mulvenna, J. MacDonald, G. Miller, N. Steiner, Manouane, W. Strong, A. Revill, H. Davidson, S. Lambert
General Avalanche Observations: Numerous slab avalanches observed on Crowfoot Peak, Jimmy Simpson, Bow Peak and Dolomite Peak today, all from the last 24 hours. We estimate that we saw over 30 slabs out in our two groups today from our vantage points. Sizes ranged from size 1 to 3 with the biggest being the four major slide paths on Dolomite Peak running to valley bottom and starting from high in the start zones. Slab depth was generally about 40cm with some deeper. Some smaller slabs seen at treeline in some surprising places. Many larger slabs were in steep features and on moraines. It would generally be a bad time to jump into any significant sized features.
A cornice failure off Crowfoot falling onto the Crowfoot Glacier was witnessed at 14:30. Both groups travelling experienced whumpfing during the day with some cracking and evidence of soft slab formation. Some cracks travelled far though the terrain.
Snow pack on Crowfoot was about 150cm while on Helen Shoulder it was a bit over 100cm. Ski penetration was typically 30 to 50 cm. Occasionally you would sink to ground in weak spots around boulders and trees.
Both groups used conservative terrain on both up and down tracks with good group management. Terrain skied in the open was generally not in excess of 25 degrees and we pretty much avoided any avalanche terrain and overhead exposure. Despite this the ski quality was excellent.
Matt Reynolds MG
Cyril Shokoples MG
ACC TNF Crew: J St-Pierre, F. Mulvenna, J. MacDonald, G. Miller, N. Steiner, Manouane, W. Strong, A. Revill, H. Davidson, S. Lambert
[MCR] Rockies Avalanche Observations
Hello Everyone,
I toured with a group today up the S. ridge of Dolomite peak. At treeline I was feeling and hearing settlements, I chose a conservative up track, on the way up I remote triggered 1 sz 2 avalanche which was 45 cm deep and failed on facets, it ran to the top of the run out zone about 100-125m and was 45 m wide.
On our ski down we skied on the ridge proper and remote triggered 1 sz 1, which appeared to be on the same layer. Both avalanches were in the 2250-2300m zone.
Of note at 3:30 we witnessed a sz 2 on Bow peak, a bit surprising as there was no wind or sun effect I would also rule out skier triggered given the terrain and time of day. Many large natural sluffs and up to sz 2's observed on all aspects in the storm snow.
Have fun and be cautious out there this weekend!
Jeff Bullock
[MCR] notable avalanche event
Avalanche Canada has received a report of what appears to be a very large, significant avalanche event near McBride in the North Rockies. Details are sparse but we do know that it was human triggered and people are involved. There are layers of concern in the snowpack in many parts of this region (and others) and a fairly significant weather event added rain and snow to the snowpack over the last few days followed by clearing and cooling today. This may have produced stresses in the snowpack capable of producing large avalanches and this condition could take several days to settle and bond. Please be cautious this weekend. Check www.avalanche.ca or forecasts and blogs—we’ll provide additional information when we have it. Use the Mountain Information Network to provide information to Avalanche Canada forecasters and other users. If you have specific information about the incident or conditions near McBride, please contact me directly.
Karl Klassen, Avalanche Canada
Public Avalanche Warning Service Manager
250-814-8981
[MCR] Mountain Information Network
Avalanche Canada’s Mountain Information Network has recently undergone a major upgrade. You can learn more here: http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network where there are a couple of videos and an FAQ document. In short,
· The MIN now allows exchange of much more detailed data about avalanches, weather, and snowpack observations.
· Incident reports are supported.
· The data is displayed on our map at www.avalanche.ca and can be filtered by report type and date range.
· The system is free of charge, open to all, and works anywhere in the world.
Please send comments, questions, or suggestions to
Karl Klassen, Avalanche Canada
Public Avalanche Warning Service Manager
kklassen@avalanche.ca, 250-814-8981
Thursday, January 28, 2016
[MCR] Rockies: Twin Cairns, Observation Peak
The Alpine Club's North Face Leadership Course has been touring in the Rockies near Sunshine and north of Lake Louise in the last few days. Here are a few of our observations:
January 26 (Tuesday) Twin Cairns – via Healy Creek to Sunshine
Healy Creek Trail well packed as expected. Typical snow depth once we started breaking trail in the 1 meter range. Ski penetration at and below treeline varied from 20 to 40 cm. Snowpack Treeline and below was generally faceted although somewhat supportive in flatter terrain. In open areas at and above treeline wind affect varied from soft to hard slabs. Snow depth extremely variable where wind affected. Cracking, whumpfing and hollow sounds noted on N and E aspects in open areas circa 15:30. Group turned before completing the final 200m of ascent in low visibility due to snowpack concerns and ski quality issues (crap!) Great shred down the groomers at Sunshine to the ski out. (Thanks Sunshine!!!)
January 27 (Wednesday) - Natural avalanche observed above Bow Summit size 1.5 / suspect slab / 2600m / E aspect. Natural avalanche observed on Observation Peak (not previously reported) Size 1.5 / suspect slab / SW asp in extreme terrain / 2700 or 2800m / stop in middle of track above treeline.
January 28 (Thursday) - Icefields Parkway - driving toward Parker Ridge we encountered rain north of Bow Summit at an elevation of below 1800m. Driving conditions quite icy. Abandoned plans at Saskatchewan Crossing and went back to Bow Summit area.
January 28 (Thursday)- Observation Peak – Snowing at 1 to 2 cm per hour most of the day. Visibility was variable. Anticipated winds did not really materialize except for a brief period of light with occasional moderate gusts. Snow accumulation during the day was 10 – 15 cm. Travel below treeline was fair with ski penetration of 30 – 40 cm. Once again height of snow was in the 85 cm range down low and up to 120cm in wind affected areas in the open near 2500m on a West aspect. Once above treeline snow distribution was variable. Group did numerous compression and extended column tests at 2500m with variable results... Extended column tests produced fractures with no propagation down 15 – 25cm in the first 10 to 20 taps. Compression tests produced both resistant and sudden planar failures in the same range. One anomalous result occurred in a Shovel Test moderate down 65cm on Surface Hoar size 2 – 3mm. This was a very clean sudden shear. We did not venture on to open slopes exposed to overhead hazard in the alpine. Good ski quality with the new snow. Ski penetration occasionally “punchy” as your tails dipped into the weak facets. Used terrain conservatively skiing treeline features and below up to 25 degrees.
Cyril Shokoples MG
Matt Reynolds MG
ACC TNF Crew: J St-Pierre, F. Mulvenna, J. MacDonald, G. Miller, N. Steiner, Manouane, W. Strong, A. Revill, H. Davidson, S. Lambert
January 26 (Tuesday) Twin Cairns – via Healy Creek to Sunshine
Healy Creek Trail well packed as expected. Typical snow depth once we started breaking trail in the 1 meter range. Ski penetration at and below treeline varied from 20 to 40 cm. Snowpack Treeline and below was generally faceted although somewhat supportive in flatter terrain. In open areas at and above treeline wind affect varied from soft to hard slabs. Snow depth extremely variable where wind affected. Cracking, whumpfing and hollow sounds noted on N and E aspects in open areas circa 15:30. Group turned before completing the final 200m of ascent in low visibility due to snowpack concerns and ski quality issues (crap!) Great shred down the groomers at Sunshine to the ski out. (Thanks Sunshine!!!)
January 27 (Wednesday) - Natural avalanche observed above Bow Summit size 1.5 / suspect slab / 2600m / E aspect. Natural avalanche observed on Observation Peak (not previously reported) Size 1.5 / suspect slab / SW asp in extreme terrain / 2700 or 2800m / stop in middle of track above treeline.
January 28 (Thursday) - Icefields Parkway - driving toward Parker Ridge we encountered rain north of Bow Summit at an elevation of below 1800m. Driving conditions quite icy. Abandoned plans at Saskatchewan Crossing and went back to Bow Summit area.
January 28 (Thursday)- Observation Peak – Snowing at 1 to 2 cm per hour most of the day. Visibility was variable. Anticipated winds did not really materialize except for a brief period of light with occasional moderate gusts. Snow accumulation during the day was 10 – 15 cm. Travel below treeline was fair with ski penetration of 30 – 40 cm. Once again height of snow was in the 85 cm range down low and up to 120cm in wind affected areas in the open near 2500m on a West aspect. Once above treeline snow distribution was variable. Group did numerous compression and extended column tests at 2500m with variable results... Extended column tests produced fractures with no propagation down 15 – 25cm in the first 10 to 20 taps. Compression tests produced both resistant and sudden planar failures in the same range. One anomalous result occurred in a Shovel Test moderate down 65cm on Surface Hoar size 2 – 3mm. This was a very clean sudden shear. We did not venture on to open slopes exposed to overhead hazard in the alpine. Good ski quality with the new snow. Ski penetration occasionally “punchy” as your tails dipped into the weak facets. Used terrain conservatively skiing treeline features and below up to 25 degrees.
Cyril Shokoples MG
Matt Reynolds MG
ACC TNF Crew: J St-Pierre, F. Mulvenna, J. MacDonald, G. Miller, N. Steiner, Manouane, W. Strong, A. Revill, H. Davidson, S. Lambert
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
[MCR] Ghost - Orient Point - Hidden Dragon and others
Climbed in the Orient Point area of the Ghost today (Jan 27) under warm and windy conditions (+7 degrees when we returned to the trucks this afternoon).
Jeremy Mackenzie
IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide
Kananaskis Country Public Safety
The TransAlta Road is slippery and has a few drifts in the usual spots, but these were all easily passable today. From the bottom of the Big Hill the driving to the South Ghost is pretty straightforward.
The approach ice in the creek bed is fat and blue.
Hidden Dragon has not filled out as much as usual on the climber's left side, but there is lots of ice giving good climbing on a number of lines ranging from WI3 to 4.
The Joker looks a little gray and thin, but is certainly climbable.
The Hooker is not in.
Candle Stick Maker looks pretty good, but we didn't go up to the base so cannot be certain that the pillar at the very start of the route is climbable. It looks a little bit small at the start (see photo).
Jeremy Mackenzie
IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide
Kananaskis Country Public Safety
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)