[MCR] Howson Range/ North Coast Mountains

Subject: [MCR] Howson Range/ North Coast Mountains
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 12:57:01 -0700
Four days of skiing (don't ask me why) on the Burnie, Telkwa, and Loft Glaciers from 11 to 14 September. Firn line is at 1800 m on northerly aspects and 2100 m on southerly aspects. Recent snow to 30 cm above 2200 m on northerly aspects. Glacier travel conditions are good for the time of year with few sags and enough snow cover to make most routes feasible. Alpine ridges and faces have snow on them on northerly aspects above 2000 m. No avalanches observed.

Low of 2.0 degrees and high of 10.0 degrees over the four days at 2000 m. Radiation freeze on 12 and 14 September overnight. Very strong westerly winds (hard to stay upright in Polemic Pass) and rain to 2200 m on 13 September.

Last winter's very big snowpack at altitude (above 2000 m) seems to make for good firn coverage. HS 290 at 2300 m in northerly aspect.
--
Christoph Dietzfelbinger
Mountain Guide, Bear Mountaineering and Burnie Glacier Chalet
Box 4222
Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Canada
tel. 250-847-3351 fax: 250-847-2854
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