[MCR] West Central Monashees

Subject: [MCR] West Central Monashees
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:25:00 -0700
Finishing off a week in the west central Monashees, near Tsuius Mountain west of Vernon.

Only 2 avalanches noted, both mid-week on steep lee east aspects, alpine/treeline elevations, windslabs about 25 cm deep. 1- size 1.5, 1 - size 2. 

The October crust is about 100 cm down, its characteristics vary depending on elevation but in shallower areas there are some facets around it and we've been having occasional hard, sudden shears on the crust/facets with compression tests. Another shear 25-40 cm down in recent storm snow is what gave us our 2 avalanches this week. This shear is getting more resistant in character and has not been reactive to skis. There is a surface hoar layer down about 20 cm, buried November 28, but it has been unreactive.

We've been avoiding steep wind affected areas but otherwise have been using all terrain features.

Schroeder/Bender/M Klassen
ACMG Guides


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