[MCR] Selkirks: Valkyr Range

Finishing a week at Valkyr Lodge in the southern Selkirks.

The primary concern this week was the Feb 9 surface hoar buried about 30 cm down. We had several natural and skier controlled avalanches on this layer, most about size 1.5 with a couple size 2's. Other surface hoar layers buried deeper weren't reactive this week in this area.

The last 2 days the slabs were less reactive in shaded lower elevations as they started to facet and weaken. We began skiing small, low consequence slopes in the 35 degree range in cold, below treeline zones and triggered a few size 1 slabs but they didn't propagate or run very far.

We continued to avoid larger features, terrain traps, and alpine slopes where there are windslabs.

Mark Klassen

Mountain Guide

mark@xxxxxxxxxxxx

www.alpinism.com

403-760-3337

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