We are doing a guide training course in the Monashee mountains just west of
Blanket glacier (Monashee Powder Snowcats).
Lodge elev.1600m
Afternoon Weather
Skies scattered
Nil precip.
Temps. Max. -6.5 Pres. -11.5 Min.-11.5
22cm. storm snow
Height of snowpack 109cm.
Light winds from the north
Today we had strong winds from the north as the arctic air moved the storm
of last night out of the area - extensive wind effect in the alpine and into
the Treeline has created soft slab conditions that were quite reactive to
ski cutting in the morning at treeline/alpine but seemed to tighten somewhat
later in the day - some natural activity observed but with all the wind
transport things were being blown in as fast as they failed - most activity
was size 1-2 maximum and limited to unsupported steep features.
Snowpack 30 cm. recent wind affected storm snow - over 30cm. of low density
snow that is sitting on a 5 cm. crust - we have had limited obs. In the
alpine and so far have not seen the buried surface hoar that is being
reported elsewhere. Roughly 150cm snowcover once you are above 1800m.
Hopefully things will be somewhat less blustery tomorrow.
Keep them slippery side down,
Cheers,
Scott Davis
Mountain Guide
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