[MCR] Selkirk Mtns. - Corbin Pass - Jan.11/09

I was skiing in the Corbin Pass (west of Glacier Park) area today with some guests.

 

Weather was mild (-1.0 at the parking lot in the am) with some light snow showers throughout the day with gusty westerly winds that caused numerous tree bomb events (clumps of snow falling off the trees) below treeline and I am sure some wind slabs in the exposed treeline and Alpine terrain.

 

There was 15-25 cms new snow over the last 48hrs. and ski penetration was close to 45 cms. (off the old up track)  - there was an easy shear down 10cms. in the storm snow, though it didn’t pose a problem for us during our descents – the Dec.26^th interface (buried below 60-100 cms. storm snow) is quite variable and so we simply limited our terrain to below the road and skied moderate angled small treed slopes to manage the uncertainty in the snowpack.

 

Ski quality was good and will improve on lower angled terrain as the storm snow settles out over the next few days. Lower alders still a bit nasty – especially if you don’t know the best way past them. Road was not ploughed recently and when it is, it only goes to the first switchback (which is still much appreciated – 4 wheel drive mandatory).

 

I would guess the deeper instabilities (Dec. 26^th and Nov.21) are not going anywhere fast.

 

Cheers,

 

Scott Davis

ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide

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