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ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued October 23, 2009
The warm system that ran through western Canada last week resulted in high freezing levels and rain well into the alpine. The past few days has seen a return to more seasonal temperatures with daytime highs in the single digits and overnight lows dipping below freezing at valley bottoms.
So I have very little information to deal with in preparing this summary, since many guides have fled to the south seeking warm rock, and others are hunkered down with first aid recert courses and home renovations. One of two responses I got to my plea for beta was from Larry, who wrote "Funny! I have been with 25 wily old avalanche forecasters from all over western Canada for 3 days. Collectively, all we can tell you is exactly what I assume you can see from your house."
Yesterday I went for a trip up to Ranger Creek and found that the ice is still there and the recent cooler weather is yielding excellent (though still a tad thin and hollow in spots) climbing conditions. Recent storm snow amounted to about 5 cm overlying another 10-20cm of rain soaked crud.
This morning on my drive from Canmore to the Bighorn Reserve I noticed the snowline down to about treeline (2000m-ish) and windswept from the moderate to strong W and SW winds we've had over the week. The snow depth is still extremely variable, ranging from non-existent dry ridges to wind loaded pockets and gullies high in the alpine. Murchison and Virtual Reality, which catch mid-day sun, are not doing so well, with a gaping hole at the top of Murchison. David Thompson Hwy has significantly less snow, and ice is not even close to being in -- Kitty Hawk has some ice but big holes, and Elliot Left is a wet smear. The one exception was Two O'Clock Falls, which is climbable but probably a bit spicy for WI2.
At Rogers Pass the snowline is reported to be at about 1400m, a bit higher east and west, with 10cms of new snow in the alpine bringing that to a grand total of 25cm total snow depth. Ice lines are described as "anorexic" at best. Hiking in valley bottoms, like elsewhere in western Canada at the moment, is still pleasant.
For those of you considering heading into the alpine, or (shudder) looking for some turns expect an adventure replete with the early winter hazards that have been discussed in the past few summaries: very thin and poor snowpack, poorly bridged crevasses, rockfall especially on solar aspects, etc. etc.
A month after the equinox usually marks the time in the Rockies when we can expect early season ice with a bit of hunting, and this year is no exception. While climbs at lower elevations and on exposed, south and west aspects will be thin or non-existent, good ice climbing will be found by those who know where to look for it. Amongst the chokecherries there are definitely some plums waiting for an early harvest.
The next few days the weather is forecast to cool down some more, with clouds and a few flurries -- great if you are into ice climbing.
As for myself, this afternoon I plan to scramble up a shoulder season favourite of mine, the S ridge descending to Windy Corner on Abraham Lake. Over the weekend I plan to go for a hike in search of some ice with manageable and straightforward hazard. And probably fantasize a little about sun soaked rock.
Regards,
Tom Wolfe
ASG/AAG
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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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_______________________________________________
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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