Just
finished a week with a Thompson Rivers University group in Frisby Creek,
northwest of Revelstoke.
We were ski
touring in Frisby Creek May 2-8.
Stability
was generally good, with low avalanche danger in the mornings. Avalanche danger rose to high most
afternoons with warm temperatures.
Lots of avalanche activity on rock slabs with many glide slabs releasing. Over the week approximately 50cm of new
snow fell at 2100m. We were camped
at 1500m. Travel below 1500m is
not recommended (isothermal, lots of avalanche activity, and many areas down valley
without any snow). No slab
avalanches noted, just moist point releases and glide crack releases. Whumphing above 2200m on a northeast aspect
glacier, about 40cm of new snow, and steady southwest winds stopped us about 30m
vertical short of getting into a col on May 6th. Felt like a winter upper snowpack with
a clean easy shear down 30 cm and wind slab stiffness above that.
Good travel
in the mornings with a light freeze most nights. Ski crampons were very useful to help climb out of the
valley in the mornings. Boot top
powder on the north aspects above 2000m over a variety of crusts, and corn snow
on the south aspects. Generally
very good ski quality considering it is May in the Monashees! A light crust over isothermal snow
below 1700m made for some interesting skiing back to camp some days. We climbed and skied several peaks in
the area.
Less snow
than average on the glaciers, but glacier travel felt quite reasonable with a
rope on. Probed 3+ meters on most
of the glaciers.
Early
starts (up at 04:30 each morning) and early finishes (back at camp by 13:30
most days).
There is
still winter up there if you can get up high. Beautiful weather in the valley in Revelstoke this afternoon,
good for rock climbing. Must be
Spring.
Terry
Palechuk
Ski Guide
Jordy
Shepherd
Mountain
Guide
www.PeakAlpine.com