I just returned from a few days up at Keith's Hut on the Duffey. Deb and I
broke heavy trail up to the Hut (with the help of a couple of groups who
caught up to us!) in 60+ cm of fresh snow, and set a couple of up tracks
(the most work being up the N side of the ridge!) on Saturday. We spent
all of our time on the Hut Ridge.
Saturda and Sunday we noticed some wind effect in the alpine, but still
excellent ski quality on both S and N aspects of the ridge. Little natural
avalanche activity was noted apart from some loose surface sloughing
throughout the weekend. Light to moderate winds from the south until
Sunday afternoon.
Later on Sunday and throughout Monday the breeze stiffened, with
consistent S moderate to high winds causing scouring in the alpine and
rapid blossoming of cornices.
Of note, and some surprise, was a massive (sz 3.5) avalanche that occured
Sunday night, sweeping down the moraines below the N face of Mt. Joffre
and stepping down, in places, to the ground (as far as we could tell
through the mist). It reached down to about 5000 ft (and may have even
crossed the exit tracks leading to Cerise Ck), and was likely triggered by
windloading on the upper Joffre ridge several thousand feet above.
Ski quality yesterday (Monday) had worsened in the alpine from the wind
but was still excellent below treeline. Stability is definitely worsening,
especially with new snow (it was coming down hard again as we left and
still blowing).
Freezing levels yesterday evening were at about 1100 ft, and the icy
little hill north of Whistler Village was strewn with tourist vehicles
which caused us a 2 hr delay and forced us to use the 11:30 pm water taxi
back to Bowen Island and our little son Rohan!
Regards,
Tom Wolfe
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