Western Canada December

[jmckay]

We spent the weekend up in Hope Creek, the drainage east of Railroad Pass or north of Tenquil Lake. At 1450m it was -17 when we arived on Friday night, and 0 when we left on Sunday evening.

 

We found a prominent weak layer in the upper snowpack, that was settling out with warming temperatures. This layer was the interface between the snow that fell on Weds/Thurs (Nov 30) and the previous snow. In the Alpine this layer was very wind affected and varied from 5-50cm deep. At treeline and below this interface was 18cm deep and equally reactive, but the surface snow was very light. We saw two size 2 avalanches on steep NE terrain in the alpine that probably occurred on Thursday or Friday. In the alpine steep rolls would produce small avalanches (so we stayed away from the big stuff) and at treeline and below it would slough off.

 

In technical terms we were finding Easy to Moderate (SP) shears down 18cm (HST) on a cold stellar layer, which was preserved under 1F to P dense slabs in the alpine.

 

While we were out there we watch the Surface Hoar grow to about 1cm in size, before getting wiped out (in our valley) to about 1650m by above freezing temperatures.

 

We skied it like:

 

Saturday: Alpine-Considerable, Treeline-Moderate, Below Treeline-Moderate

Sunday: Alp-Moderate, TL-Moderate, BTL-Moderate

 

If I were to go back in the next few days I would be really keeping an eye out for that newly buried surface hoar layer and checking to see how the next layer down is reacting.

 

 

Conny Amelunxen

MG, ACMG

 

 

Edited December 13, 2006 by jmckay

[jmckay]

Saint Nicholas' Day brought another 30 cm of wet snow in the valley

bottom, southerly winds, and rain at higher elevations. We flew the

east flank of Hudson Bay Mountain at ten this morning and were

surprised to find less snow than expected, no slabs and wet surface

sluffs only in steep terrain. In the main start zone at 1800 m, some

of the bed surface from the 19 November cycle was still visible and

the cornices were small. There was a lot of wind effect from that

elevation on, with the upper mountain appearing stripped. We then

skied up to our observation site at 1500 m and found about 15 cm of

new snow, the top 6 cm of which were wet and very high density. It was

1.5 degrees above freezing, raining lightly, and there was a strong

southerly wind. The skiing was vile.

 

Even in steep terrain, ski cutting only led to surface sluffing. The

visibility was not very good, and we saw and heard no other slides.

--

Christoph Dietzfelbinger

Mountain Guide IFMGA

Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. Canada V0J 2N0

tel. 250-847-3351 fax 250-847-2854

info@bearmountaineering.ca 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.

Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

 

[jmckay]

Climbed Dancing With Chaos with Dr Jim Wilson today. It's a great day out on

a rarely formed climb.

 

Be aware that there are two approach trails within 20 meters of each other,

6.8 km past the David Thompson Highway coming from Lake Louise. The left

hand trail leads to Shooting Star, the right hand one leads to Dancing With

Chaos.

 

Enjoy,

 

Grant Meekins

Alpine Guide

gmeekins@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.

Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

 

[jmckay]

Went up Asulkan valley today as far as the Cleaver between the Sapphire and Dome Glaciers @2200m.

 

Snowing lightly all day (a skiff on the car at the end of the day) with a few blue sky breaks in the morning to lure us up above treeline – clouds settled in again by the later afternoon.

 

15cm. of snow in the track at valley bottom since yesterday afternoon bumped up to 25-30 by the time we began breaking trail above the Mousetrap making for 45cm+ ski pen and a good workout going uphill. Numerous small loose snow point release avalanches in this newer storm snow in 40 degree + terrain as well as skier triggered sluffs when we skied steeper terrain. No real slab in the upper snowpack as of yet and no wind effect in the terrain we were in though I am sure that may change higher up at ridge crest or wind exposed locations (looked like some wind action up high on the Youngs peak side of the valley.

 

All in all great (okay amazing) skiing but be aware of loose snow sluffs especially in confined features or where there is a consequence below you should you be swept off your feet.

 

One other thing , I am sure that Parks will have plowed out the parking lot by tomorrow but if you are in a 2 wheel drive make sure first as it was bumper deep in the Asulkan parking lot today.

 

Keep them slippery side down – at least when you land!

Cheers,

 

Scott Davis

Mountain Guide

[jmckay]

Climbed the route today with Kristen. Fantastic shape with lots of ice and good snow on the mixed pitches. Good trail into base - 2 other parties on route. Last pitch felt like it was short but steep grade 4 with a good rest and soft ice. Pictures on gravsports dot com. One of the best routes around...

 

Have fun!

 

Mike Stuart

Assistant Alpine Guide

m_stuart@telus.net

 

Joe's note

This is one of the best climbs in the area and forms only every 5 years or so. If it as good as they say then I highly suggest giving it a go.

[jmckay]

Just a note on some of the quickie ice climbs close to jasper.

BS canyon (Gorbie Canyon) is in good shape! The waterfall out of the

hole is in as well.

Schwarz's on the west highway is in, fat as well.

Edge of the world is good, a bit wet on upper pitch but can be avoided.

Peter...

 

Peter Amann

Mountain Guiding

Box 1495, Jasper AB, T0E 1E0

780 852 3237

www.incentre.net/pamann

pamann@incentre.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.

Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

 

[jmckay]

Climbed Malignant Mushroom yesterday in the Ghost. Plastic blue-goo offered one swing sticks but the top third was a little sun-leached making screw placements less than ideal. By noon the sun had escaped the clouds and was heating up the sunny amphitheatre. We started up our second route, the mixed corner immediately left (Perfect Day M6), but quickly retreated only a few moves up because a small hanging icicle on the left margin of Malignant Mushroom crashed down. We decided it was getting too warm so called it quits and left. By the time we returned back to the car at 2pm it was 8 C; way too warm for ice climbing, especially in the sun. Warm temps are still forecasted for the front ranges tomorrow and Monday so be prudent of where you decide to seek out ice. In short, avoid sunny ice in the ghost and Kananaskis Country until the temperatures become more seasonal. I was at Haffner today and it is slightly cooler towards the west in the main range.

 

Sean Isaac

Assistant Alpine Guide

[jmckay]

Enjoyed a cragging day at Bear Spirit today (Dec 12) with some friends. The trail in is well packed but very icy in spots making for slippery walking (and embarrassing wipe-outs). The ice up the approach gully is a thin shell with lots of holes in it and running water behind; however, it is short and easy and if all else fails can be avoided by yarding up the fixed rope on the left. It should repair itself once we get some colder temperatures again.

 

The two main WI4 pillars are touching down and very wet. We also climbed the mixed routes Hocus Pocus, No Love and X-Mass Chopping which all had their "normal" amounts of ice. The other mixed routes (All Canadian Torque, Child Care, Woody, Scratch and Win, Spoiler / Spoiled Rotten) all looked to have plenty of ice on them as well.

 

Some of the tat around the trees on top are starting to show wear and might need to be replaced soon so bring some extra sling material just in case. It snowed off and on all day and by the time we left over 5cm of fresh snow covered our tracks from the morning.

 

Sean Isaac

Assistant Alpine Guide

[jmckay]

Yesterday guided ‘Shooting Star’ on Mt. Wilson. The route is in good shape: mostly dry and solid. The first pitch will not last long with some sunny days. The route is in WI5/5+ shape right now. It snowed lightly all day with moderate winds and mild temps. Isolated slabs were forming throughout the day.

 

Today guided ‘Mixed Master’ near the Weeping Wall. The route is in fat shape. The crux is the 5.8 traverse pitch and the ice pitches feel like WI4 as they are very hooked out and protect well. 10cm ice screws are useful.

 

There were flurries and strong SW winds throughout the day. The snow was moving around a lot. I would be hesitant to climb under the snow bowls on Mt. Wilson or Cirrus in the coming days.

 

Rob Owens

Alpine Guide

[jmckay]

Monday Dec 11: Climbed Rogan's Gully on Cascade. Generally in good shape and surprisingly not very wet inspite of the warmth. The big funnels above the route have already slid earlier this year and avalanche debris can be found before the last pitch and in the exit bowl. Cascade was not looking very inviting. There is a fair bit of water running underneath the ice and I bet the two crux pitches would be scary right now.

 

Tuesday Dec 12: Climbed Coire Dubh on Loader Mountain. The ice climbing is in good shape - a bit wet in places but easily avoided. A couple of intense snow squalls passed through during the climb and deposited about 5 cm of snow, which made the initial rock pitch for the integral finish quite tricky. For those who don't know, the bolt that is mentioned in the guide book and which used to protect the crux move has been gone for a while, but one can get decent trad gear placement instead. We descended from the tree after the crux pitch due to the adverse conditions on the rocks.

 

Good luck out there,

Jorg Wilz

 

Mountain Guide (ACMG / IFMGA / UIAGM)

1-800 506-7177 or (001) 403 678 2717

www.ontopmountaineering.com

 

[jmckay]

Guided Aquarius, Fearful Symmetry, and Rainbow Serpent today. What an amazing day of ice climbing!

 

Aquarius is dry and fat, WI4

Fearful Symmetry is a full 70m up to WI6. It has sections of overhanging ice with good protection except for the first pillar. Dry.

Rainbow Serpent: Dry ice w/ good rests between awkward and funky moves.

 

Very windy today (west). Beware of the unsupported and sublimating ice features that are numerous in the Recital Hall. We saw one significant dagger break off spontaneously due to the wind.

 

 

 

Rob Owens

ACMG Alpine guide.

[jmckay]

Hi gang,

I have been busy skiing the trees at Corbin Pass (just west of Glacier Park) the last few days. Continued snow (@ 20-30cm every 24hrs.) made for fresh trailbreaking every day.

 

Lots of wind even down below treeline on Tuesday Dec.12 – less so today and Monday – I was barely into the treeline elevation today but I suspect that there are some lingering windslabs up there as well as in the Alpine from yesterdays wind event. There was a weakness in the snowpack down 30cm. yesterday, but it tightened back up with the cooling temps today and wasn’t reactive to ski’s – at least where I was skiing.

 

On Monday at @2200m. there was @ 130cm. of snow over the Nov.7/06 crust and a total snowpack of @ 200cm. - there is an additional 40-60cm. since then from the last storm systems. The Nov.7/06 crust was 5-10cm. thick and the snow above seemed well bonded and quite strong.

 

So there has been lots of snow (and it looks to continue) and a fair bit of wind so be wary traveling above or at treeline for the next while – in the long term however all this snow should make for a strong snowpack – and in the short term there is some fantastic tree skiing to be had out there.

 

Also of note is the fact that Telus is now setting up cell towers along the Trans Canada highway from Revelstoke and through out the Roger Pass – so far the west side is done (so there is cell service at Corbin area as well as the Asulkan Parking lot – I haven’t got it at the hotel yet) – bring your cell phones(with the ringer turned off of course) and see where you get service in the backcountry – a worthy emergency device to carry – but it won’t cover everywhere out there, so nice to know where you do and don’t get a signal.

 

Keep them slippery side down,

 

 

Scott Davis

Mountain Guide

 

Edited December 14, 2006 by jmckay

[jmckay]

With the exception of Arsenic Falls behind the parking lot, all ice is

in and fat. We climbed the middle falls which were in good shape with

two steep sections. It seems like a big avalanche swept the right hand

falls on 19 November, but nothing big has slid since. The creek is

well covered and allows good skiing where last year one had to walk it

with crampons.

--

Christoph Dietzfelbinger

Mountain Guide IFMGA

Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. Canada V0J 2N0

tel. 250-847-3351 fax 250-847-2854

info@bearmountaineering.ca www.bearmountaineering.ca

 

 

 

 

 

[jmckay]

The temperatures at timberline have been around -5 since Sunday. The

10 to 30 cm of snow on the 6 December raincrust are settling and

bonding well. The crust reacts to compression tests with hard results

that compact progressively. Ski cutting in steep terrain only led to

sluffing on the crust. We saw no new avalanche activity. Skiing

quality was good where the crust is not exposed by wind.

--

Christoph Dietzfelbinger

Mountain Guide IFMGA

Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. Canada V0J 2N0

tel. 250-847-3351 fax 250-847-2854

info@bearmountaineering.ca www.bearmountaineering.ca

 

[jmckay]

Did some climbing on Reality Check today. It is fatter at the top than

at the bottom, which makes for the steepest climbing I've had there

yet. Sustained WI5 for 45 m. The ice is solid and takes full length

screws well. There are two climbable lines on the falls, but the

climber's left one has lots of chandeliers. The access from the bottom

of the Ski Smithers chairlift is fast and easy. Do bring skis.

--

Christoph Dietzfelbinger

Mountain Guide IFMGA

Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. Canada V0J 2N0

tel. 250-847-3351 fax 250-847-2854

info@bearmountaineering.ca 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.

Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

 

Edited December 16, 2006 by jmckay

[jmckay]

Climbed Unicorn up in the David Thompson today.

The route is extremely fat and is actually touching

down. It will need a bit more time till you would want

to jump on it as a pure ice route as the bottom of the

two pillars are only attached by a few icicles. We

found good ice on the first pitch with only a few

steps onto the rock needed. As well we only placed a

.25-.5 inch piece of gear for a small step over the

roof. All other gear was ice screws. The upper pitch

was much easier than the given M7 rating as you could

stem off the ice and rock throughout the difficulties.

The last bolt (the ones marked off route in the mixed

guidebook) protects the 10 feet of steeper ice.

Kitty Hawk is also in very good condition.

Although there wasn't much new snow in David Thompson

country, there was up to 20 cm's of new snow at the

Bow summit. This tapered off as you headed north. With

the new snow and high winds throughout the day we

noticed alot of snow moving around up high on Mount

Wilson and adjacent peaks.

You will want to think about the terrain above the ice

climbs you choose this weekend as I imagine there

will be some natural activity and soft slabs on some

of the approaches.

.Craig McGee, IFMGA

 

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_______________________________________________

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.

[jmckay]

Big dump overnight Thursday (30-40cm. in Revelstoke) made driving anywhere to ski Friday out of the question – so I spent the day on Mt. Macpherson just outside of Revelstoke on the Monashee side of the valley. 80cm.ski penetration off the trail made for exceptionally deep skiing with no sign of slabbing in the new snow. There had been a few loose snow sluffs (small avalanches) that had run into the top of the gullies but they didn’t go far or amount to much.

 

Today is bluebird so I am sure that people are going to venture up high for the first time since this series of storms hit us – hopefully the cooler temps will have tightened up the snowpack a bit but watch out for those windslabs from earlier this week.

 

Play safe,

 

Scott Davis

Mountain Guide

 

[jmckay]

We are in a cooler weather trend with clear skies in Jasper and along the

Icefields Parkway. Aside from some wind affected surfaces in the alpine the

skiing is excellent, with the deepest snowpack in years (maybe decades). With

the excellent travel conditions below treeline, this would be a good year to do

some exploring, and ski some of the routes that normally have horrendous trail

breaking to ground.

 

No recent natural avalanche activity has been observed in the Jasper area, and

explosive testing has resulted in bomb holes in the snow, and maximum size 1

sluffing.

 

The ice climbing is also excellent, with numerous climbs along the icefield

forming, and many rarely formed climbs are 'in'.

 

Keep in mind this is not a 'normal' December, relative to the past several

seasons. There is more snow, and therefore more severe consequences if you are

involved in a skier/climber triggered or natural avalanche.

 

There is a lot of snow and ice to play on, so focus on the areas/routes that

are not threatened by avalanche and cornice hazard. This is shaping up to be

one of the best seasons on record.

 

Jordy Shepherd

Mountain Guide

Revelstoke/Jasper

 

_______________________________________________

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.

[jmckay]

Climbed the route yesterday with one guest. As usual the lower pitches are quite wet, especially the fourth. We both had three sets of extra gloves and we used them all. The first pitch is as big as I've ever seen it and the last is quite thin in spots with running water visible underneath - good feet and hooks throughout though.

 

Cheers

 

Mike Stuart

ACMG Assistant Alpine Guide

E: m_stuart@telus.net

Edited December 19, 2006 by jmckay

[jmckay]

 

Toured up evening ridge yesterday. Beautiful day. Cold temps ( -13 at 8am on

the whitewater road, and -9 at 1pm on the whale's back ridge 2100m ). The

sunshine had little effect on the snow surface, even on south facing

terrain. Average snow depth 200 cm.

So it's been a few days since the big snow and wind ended, but there are

still suspect looking pillows of windslab in many start zones and in cross

loaded gully features in open areas, from the wind at the end of last week

which blew strong from the SW then swung to West and NW at the end of the

storm.

The cool calm weather we're enjoying now will help settle out these surface

instabilities with time. However this weather also favors the development of

surface hoar, which we observed, up to 10mm at ridgetop, and smaller ( 2 - 3

mm below treeline ). If these continue to grow and are not knocked down by

wind, they will be a concern when they are covered up with the next

snowfall.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and bonded, coverage is great for

this time of year, temperatures are forecast to remain cool, so get out

there and play safe !

 

Joel McBurney, ACMG Ski Guide

[jmckay]

Climbed the right side of the Weeping Wall today. Good, sometimes slightly wet conditions on all routes but not bad for early season. The upper wall (Weeping Pillar) also looked quite good from the distance but likely harder than WI5 right now. Only one other party around today, who did Sniffelin Gully - first pitch sounded pretty hollow still with lots of water running underneath.

 

-14C at the parking lot at 9.30 AM, light to moderate snowfall started around noon with warming temps and strong winds with spindrifts kicked in later in the afternoon. Icefield Parkway is all snow covered and around the Saskatchewan River Crossing quite icey. All in all a very wintery ambiance out there.....

 

Cheers,

 

Jorg Wilz

Mountain Guide (ACMG / IFMGA)

www.ontopmountaineering.com

1-800 506-7177 or (001) 403 678 2717

[jmckay]

A natural avalanche cycle occurred on the east flank of Hudson Bay

Mountain with yesterday's rain. Numerous size 2 soft slabs ran in the

steep terrain, starting at 1800 to 2000 m. On a helicopter check

flight this morning, no recent fracture lines were visible in the flat

light. The temperature was -9 C at 2000 m with moderate wind transport

caused by strong southerly wind. Avalanches terminated well back from

the road.

 

Soft slabs ran over both the main falls in Glacier Gulch as well as

over the 'Left of Left' falls.

 

I suspect that there are numerous windslabs that can be triggered by

skiers or snowmobilers. The resulting avalanches will probably not be

overly large, but certainly in the size 2 range. Settlement will be

slow with the current lower temperatures.

--

Christoph Dietzfelbinger

Mountain Guide IFMGA

Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. Canada V0J 2N0

tel. 250-847-3351 fax 250-847-2854

info@bearmountaineering.ca 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.

Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

[W]

Climbed the right side of the Weeping Wall today. Good, sometimes slightly wet conditions on all routes but not bad for early season. The upper wall (Weeping Pillar) also looked quite good from the distance but likely harder than WI5 right now.

 

We climbed Weeping Pillar with the Teardrop finish on saturday. First two pitches were moderate WI5 with excellent, plastic ice from top to bottom. Ice doesn't get any better! 2nd lead is a touch harder due to some lacy mushrooms at the start but returns to deep blue plastic. Final pitch is solid 5+, we snuck the pillar on the left side and behind, then climbed by stemming between the pillar and the next one right before stepping out left onto the Teardrop pillar directly, near the top. Lots of technical, dry ice on the pillars, very steep, but decent rests and good pro keep it from being grade 6. The prow of the pillar direct looked very cool but would be a 'full value experience'.

 

Climbed Oh Le Tabernac on sunday; first half is the crux, can chimney and stem between two pillars for 15 meters but has very steep and technical exit right on overhanging mushrooms. When partners followed, the right hand pillar in the chimney cracked and settled about one inch, and when we got back to the base, the bottom of this pillar had a crack running through it- the pillar may be entirely unsupported, so be careful.

 

In general, Mt. Wilson and the Ghost are having fabulous seasons, there are a lot of rare things in condition this year. The snowpack is big so use some prudence, but this weekend seemed surprisingly stable. Has the potential to change quickly, as always...

 

 

[jmckay]

Climbed Shooting Star today (Dec 20) on Mt Wilson. We were psyched to have a cloudy day preventing solar radiation from cooking the 1500m of snowy terrain above our heads. Clouds and cool temperatures are desirable conditions for all of Mt Wilson's routes to keep both the snow (for avalanches) and the ice (for climbing) in reasonable shape.

 

The first pitch is hanging in there but is getting pretty white and thin in spots. It is sporting lots of in situ V-threads most of which are sun-leached and melted out so check them carefully. The 3rd pitch has broken and reformed as a skinny pillar but the ice is wet and plastic making it friendly. I would recommend Gore-tex for this pitch because it is pouring with water.

 

We drove up the road a few km to see what else is in. Ice Nine is "formed" but the first pitch pillar appears the diameter of a tree trunk so I would give it a week or so to fill out a bit. Happy Days / Nine is almost touching down.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean Isaac

Assistant Alpine 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.

Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

[jmckay]

Joe here! Looking for a new area or lodge to ski at I recommend this guys area. He is a good guide and the place is not over crowded like most of the coastal areas.

 

 

While it has been very warm in the valley, winter is firmly entrenched

above 1000 m. The temperature has not risen above freezing, all the

precipitation fell as snow, and the winds continue strong from the

south. The 6 December raincrust is now 60 cm down at this site at 1500

m, but other parties have found this crust absent or much thinner in

other areas of the Bulkley Valley. There are several shears in the

storm snow, but the moderate temperatures will settle those out

quickly. Of more concern is the continuing loading. There is a lot of

wind transport in the alpine and at timberline, and more snow and wind

are forecast. Expect widespread windslabs that could be more than 60

cm thick in places. A stiff layer in the storm snow could propagate

far if the load increases enough.

--

Christoph Dietzfelbinger

Mountain Guide IFMGA

Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. Canada V0J 2N0

tel. 250-847-3351 fax 250-847-2854

info@bearmountaineering.ca 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.

Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

Bay Mountain // Strikes again/ Get out there you west coast newfies

Edited December 22, 2006 by jmckay