For better or for worse, there is now internet access at the Burnie
Glacier Chalet. When we arrived, there were 200 cm of snow on the
ground and amazing mushrooms had formed on the buildings. We received
22 cm in the last 24 hours and snowfall is continuing. The temperature
is steady around -5 degrees. There is a lot of wind transport from the
NW. We are hearing numerous avalanches from the steep north facing hut
cliffs. Ski cutting at the top of a 37 degree moraine slope yielded a
size 1.5 soft slab than ran fast and far. About 25 m wide and 5 to 15
cm deep. In less wind exposed areas, there was only sluffing. The foot
penetration was 90 cm. We saw evidence of past avalanches that
surprised me by their size. I have not dug a pit yet, but suspect that
we are mostly looking at instability in the storm snow. That is
getting to the point of being a concern. Skiing quality was excellent.
Alders and creeks are entirely filled in. No observations in the
alpine so far.
--
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
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.bearmountaineering.ca
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