Subject: | [MCR] Whitewater backcountry, near Nelson / West Kootenays / Selkirks |
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Date: | Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:44:26 -0800 |
Just back from an
AST 1 course in the Whitewater area backcountry
today...
About 10cm of new
snow fell overnight followed by rain today to ridgetop (~2100m where we
were). By 1pm, -1C temps were already forming a weak 2cm thick
rain crust that will make for particularly challenging skiing when it freezes
solid.
We found resistant,
moderate shears at storm snow interfaces down 25cm and 45cm on north and
south aspects in a 220 - 240cm snowpack. We also found the Jan. 3
surface hoar layer down 80cm giving hard, sudden shears with crystals up to
12mm near ridgetop! We did not see or hear any activity but visibility was
severely limited.
Reports from
yesterday at Kootenay Pass were that hail pellets had penetrated the
top 10cm providing challenging skiing from ridgetop down to ~1800m where
the rain crust began in earnest.
Today off the Kaslo
/ New Denver Hwy a party reported that most open slopes above 35
degrees had slid below treeline.
Just learning now of
a fatality in Kokanee Park.
Wish I had better
news.
Stay safe,
Shaun King ACMG / UIAGM Mountain Guide
Mountain Sense Guiding &
Instruction
_______________________________________________ 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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