[MCR] Whitewater backcountry, near Nelson / West Kootenays / Southern Selkirks

While touring in the Black Queen / Five Mile area yesterday we found evidence of a fairly widespread avalanche cycle up to size 2 on all aspects with notables out of the Hummer A & B Shafts (N), West Ymir (N), Goat Slide (SW), White Queen North Bowl (N), and Evening Ridge (E).  Several of these seemed skier triggered, with the deepest crown (40-50cm on a SW aspect) involving only the storm layers in the upper snowpack.

Of note was the number of thin slabs (10-15cm observed on SE through N aspects) that had released in various pockets within the trees but often not on the more open slopes.

 

We found several resistant shears within the top 50cm on a North aspect at 2100m, and were able to kick off a surface slough in steep terrain that ran far and fast.   

 

There have been a number of good convective storms in the past few days (yesterday included) which continue to build the snowpack.  I was unable to touch ground while shoving my probe down 3.5m at ridge top.  Looks like it might be a short summer at these elevations.  Massive cornices too - things will get nasty when it heats up!

 

Despite thinly buried crusts on all but steeper northerly aspects, we had a great day of skiing and even found very reasonable turns on a SW aspect in tight trees to make it back to the car. 

 

Cheers,

Shaun King  ACMG / UIAGM Mountain Guide

Mountain Sense Guiding & Instruction

www.mountainsense.ca 

 

  

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