[MCR] Selkirk Mountains, Whitewater Ski area, White Queen

Subject: [MCR] Selkirk Mountains, Whitewater Ski area, White Queen
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:50:04 -0800
Another quick trip up White Queen under mostly bluebird skies. Some high cloud did move in later in the day along with some valley fog. The temperature was steady around -15C, colder in shaded valleys. The wind was calm for the day until I reached the summit (2200m) where it was light from the west.

I saw no evidence of wind slab or recent avalanche activity, but surface hoar (4-6mm in size) was growing in the trees at around 1900m. The snow depth was around 200cm in areas I checked above 1900m, about 125cm in the valley at 1450m. In the pit I dug at 2100m I found three thin (5mm) ice crusts down 25, 33 and 58cm. The old faceted surface is down about 78cm. The upper two crusts failed with moderate to hard compression tests. These crusts will be something to keep an eye on in the future.

The ski quality was excellent with ski penetration of about 20cm. Coverage is good above about 1800m. Below that, I had to ski cautiously around the usual christmas trees, stumps and fallen logs. The alder lower down is partially covered, but skiing over it caused the stems to spring back up. A moderate amount of sloughing occurred with aggressive turns on steep (40*+) slopes.

Play safe out there.

Craig Hollinger
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide.
_______________________________________________
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