ACMG Mountain Conditions Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued Nov.6, 2008.
In the Rockies, snowpack depths
are still far from threshold values to even consider skiing. In the Columbias, there is
enough snow in the alpine for skiing for the very desperate but this will
require air support or some serious hiking approaches. Accessing the
alpine from valley bottoms is really a non starter. For the desperate
without the means for air support, the pleasures of sliding may be available at
ski areas with snowmaking this weekend. Don’t bring your new gear.
Ice climbing conditions in the Rockies
are typical for this time of year with thin, difficult to protect pitches as
the norm. A number of guides have reported “relatively” good
conditions on Nemesis, Twisted, Twisted Sister, the Replicant and the routes in
Ranger Creek. Information on many other areas is still lacking.
Starting at about 1800 metres in the interior, and in alpine
areas in the Rockies, soft slabs ranging from
10 to 30 cm are overlying a melt freeze crust buried November 1. This
early season interface will warrant close watch over the next couple of months.
Right now, the likelihood of triggering these soft slabs will be of
greatest concern to ice climbers.
Precipitation is expected over the weekend but the Avalanche
Forecasters at Rogers
Pass feel that it is
unlikely that there will be enough to make a significant difference. This
is quite a different start to the winter from last year for both skiing and
climbing. More patience is required.
The last Summary report for the season will be issued next
week.
Marc Ledwidge
Mountain Guide