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I worked for the last 4 days at Callaghan Country's
backcountry lodge. It is much like spring now with the height of snow at
the lodge (4500', 1380m) stabilizing at 5m for the last couple of weeks. During
the nights a 15cm crust has been forming and is weight supporting (to
a skier) to about 6000' on N aspects. Above that elevation the
snow surface transitions from crust to snow that is uneffected by
temperature at about 6300' (only on steeper true N aspect).
At the study plot (5150', top of tree line
on a NW aspect) there was 20cm of wet snow above 40cm of moist stuff at 3pm
yesterday afternoon.
On the 4th of April there where many natural
sluffs to size 2 on all elevations (4500' - 7700') any aspect in direct
sun. None of these slides propagated any slabs. A few low elevation
cornices and snow mushrooms have dropped, but most of the higher cornices are
still big and intact. The 5th - 7th of April where quieter in
terms of sluffing, it seems the snow stabilized with the clear
nights. In the valley at 4500' the larger creeks are beginning to
open up, the smaller ones are still just dips in the snow surface.
The best skiing was on the supportive crust as it
warmed up and formed corn, and higher up on the steeper N
aspects.
I considered the Alpine and Treeline
Hazard/Stability yesterday as Low/Very Good - but increasing with
daytime warming.
Dave Sarkany, Ski Guide
Callaghan Country's backcountry
lodge
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