[MCR] Hudson Bay Mountain 19 Dec 06

Subject: [MCR] Hudson Bay Mountain 19 Dec 06
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:22:51 -0800
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
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