JasonG Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Just wondering what some of those more local than myself think of conditions in the Whistlerish backcountry right now . .. Any opinions or direct experience??? Thanks!! Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I think there's a lot of snow and significant avalanche hazard cause there's about 2 feet of powder on top of a buried layer of surface hoar with a rain crust underneath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_a Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 do a search on telemarktips.com , Andrew McLean posted a trip report for the spearhead (he did it last sunday) From what I read there's enough snow and there weren't any sketchy snowbridges, but the current avy conditions might not make those trips safe right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulB Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Based on this bulletin, I'd give them both a pass this weekend -------------------------------- South Coast Region Forecast of avalanche danger beginning Wednesday, January 12, 2005: Day:\Wed. p.m.\Thursday\Friday Alpine:\Considerable\Considerable\Considerable Treeline:\Considerable\Considerable\Moderate Below Treeline:\Moderate\Moderate\Moderate Travel Advisory: Avalanche danger on Thursday may be High in areas that received high snowfall accumulations, specifically near the Coquihalla Summit. Throughout the region winds concentrated the new snow into drifts and pillows in protected areas behind terrain features like ridges and ribs. Shifting wind directions formed these pillows on all aspects. Cold temperatures slow down the process of these drifts congealing into a slab; however, where cohesive slabs develop the avalanche danger will be highest. Whumpfs, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches are billboards advertising avalanche danger. Manage your risk by starting on small, gentle, and wind protected slopes; watch for avalanche signs, and listen to their message. Avalanches: Accidentally triggered avalanches were small slabs, but on slopes as gentle as 30 degrees. Avalanche size is expected to increase with Wednesday’s new snow. Snowpack: New snow amounts vary from 5 to 40 cm with highest amounts reported from inland areas near the Coquihalla. Hidden below the new snow is a weak upper snowpack. Above a crust from December 19th the snow is primarily weak sugary crystals, possibly capped by a harder layer of wind affected snow. Because the wind keeps shifting between the south (or west) and the north (or east), surface and hidden windslabs are possible on any aspect in alpine or open treeline areas. Cold temperatures continue to weaken the snowpack. Weather: Westerly winds delivered 10 – 15 cm of fresh snow along the outer coast, and a whole lot more in inland areas like Alison Pass and the Coquihalla where closer to 40 cm fell by Wednesday afternoon. Winds will shift again to north and east outflow and temperatures will fall as a new surge of cold dry air pushes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmace Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 Just a thought, whistler has only received 9 cm on the last 7 days, and its been cold, considerably less precip then most areas in southern BC. seems like it would be worth a shot to me, but the weather appears to be crapping out on sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted January 14, 2005 Author Share Posted January 14, 2005 Thanks for the info everyone. The weather has made the decision a bit easier . . . Mt Baker BC skiing it will be!! Cheers Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Really windy in the chilliwack valley today. I could see plumes of fresh snow being blown off Cheam, Tomyhoi, McGuire and Slesse. Undoubtedly Baker's got a white shadow too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmace Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 With the freezing levels rising to 2000m + at the end of the weekend you better get out while you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulB Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Was skiing on Trorey & Decker today, and despite it being the end of February, it felt more like mid April. Travelling conditions were superb, and there is most likley a set track all the way 'round the Spearhead Traverse. Once the eastern slopes warmed up, the snow was fantastic for making turns. North & west aspects were a mixed bag of "powder" and wind slab which wasn't so much fun. Anyone heading out to this area for a day trip should note that the cat track (Sunset Boulevard) down from the base of 7th Heaven is closed due to lack of snow. In other words, if you miss the last ride up 7th (currently at 2:30), you'll be rock skiing/hiking the 7km back to the village. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordop Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Was skiing on Trorey & Decker today, and despite it being the end of February, it felt more like mid April. Travelling conditions were superb, and there is most likley a set track all the way 'round the Spearhead Traverse. Once the eastern slopes warmed up, the snow was fantastic for making turns. North & west aspects were a mixed bag of "powder" and wind slab which wasn't so much fun. Anyone heading out to this area for a day trip should note that the cat track (Sunset Boulevard) down from the base of 7th Heaven is closed due to lack of snow. In other words, if you miss the last ride up 7th (currently at 2:30), you'll be rock skiing/hiking the 7km back to the village. You back? what is the VIMMFFFF over already? G. Lake was slurpeeish on Feb 5, probably worse now http://bivouac.com/TripPg.asp?TripId=5431 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Trip report from Feb 20 with photos, lake frozen, no crossing problems Battleship Islands to Sphinx Hut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordop Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Trip report from Feb 20 with photos, lake frozen, no crossing problems Battleship Islands to Sphinx Hut Oh man, look at the snow level in those pics! http://clubtread.com/forumPix/39000/39092.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.