[MCR] Moberly Pass, Selkirk Mountains

Subject: [MCR] Moberly Pass, Selkirk Mountains
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:02:20 -0700
Here are the observations recorded by the ACMG Assistant Ski Guide exam participants at Moberly Pass, Selkirk Mtns, during the week of March 20-28:

Weather: Clear skies in the early part of the week with mild temperatures and light winds. This was followed by light precipitation, a cold 24 hour period (low of -21), then several days with light to moderate precipitation and moderate/strong W/SW winds on Friday. Freezing levels hovered around 1200-1400 meters later in the week.

Avalanche activity: A widespread avalanche cycle occurred on Mar 19-20 with several large natural avalanches to size 3/3.5 observed during the flight in at all aspects and elevations. Small natural avalanches were observed on Mar 24-25 running in the recent storm snow, 10-15cm deep. No new significant avalanches were observed following the strong winds of the 27th.

Snowpack: Average depth of snow: 300 cm on glaciers, 260-280 cm at treeline. The snowpack depth looked to be shallower in the Argentine glacier area. At the time of our departure on Saturday March 28, 25 to 30cm of storm snow sat on a suncrust on solar aspects. On shaded aspects, this storm snow sits on surface hoar, facets and windslabs. Friday's strong winds resulted in slab development in all exposed areas although excellent deep powder skiing could still be found in sheltered lee alpine slopes. Under the above layers, a well settled upper pack overlies several persistent weak layers (surface hoar, facets and crusts). On our last day of travel, the hazard was rated as Considerable in the alpine, Considerable at treeline and Moderate below treeline with low confidence because of the unpredictability of the persistent weak layers.

Terrain use: Much of the week was spent avoiding steeper/convex, unsupported slopes and large overhead hazards including cornices. The Goldstream Neve and its adjacent slopes, the Bear and Centurion glaciers as well as the Pyrite area were heavily travelled. The Goat glacier was avoided due to the threatening large slopes on Citadel's North side. The bottom slopes of the Centurion leading to valley bottom were travelled once up and down but left alone later in the week.

Hopefully those of you planning to travel through the Moberly Pass area in the near future will find this information useful, it is certainly well worth the visit.
Take care,

Sylvain Hebert
ACMG Ski Guide

Photos: Looking at Chris Gooliaf investigating with an explosive triggered slab in the background in Stitt Creek, and natural avalanches near the Goat Glacier and Citadel.



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