I hope this finds Everyone enjoying the beginning of Spring....
Yesterday amounted to a pleasant day in the hills. It was snowing in the valleys early morning, and then became sunny and warm by mid-morning with some flurries on the higher peaks by early-afternoon.
The best snow was found in sheltered (where no wind and sun has affected it) north as well as some east-facing alpine and treeline terrain; although, the snow became moist as you skied into lower-angle terrain on the north sides at approximately 5000'. The snow was still cold and light, and boot-top deep in those north-facing sheltered places. Even a slight tilt in the slope toward a southeast, south, south-west, or westerly direction had a noticeable crust forming on the snow surface.
I didn't observe any new slab-avalanche activity yesterday but be cautious at this time of year. Spring days produce a good deal of heat in the form of direct sun-effect on slopes that are southerly-facing (especially steeper ones) and also in the form of 'heat' that gets trapped beneath a cloud layer (even a thin one) and the snow surface ~ creating a 'greenhouse' effect which can destabilise the snow.
I did notice that cornices are large and overhanging in places and should be given a wide margin if you are travelling past terrain with an overhead hazard such as this. But, also consider not just the obvious hazard - which is the cornice itself.... but the type/size/scale/consequences of the slope beneath that cornice should it be subjected to a cornice fall..... a 'bomb' like that has the potential to awaken those old and deeply-buried layers in the snowcover that have been haunting us all all season........
Wishing you a great start to the Spring ski season.
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Member
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
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These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
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