Good skiing again on a couple of laps in Macdonald West Shoulder/NRC Gully
today. I've also had a report of good skiing on Dome Glacier and another group
of friends went to Little Sifton although I'm not sure if they made it over
today.
There was a widespread cycle of very large avalanches (to size 4.5) during the
last storm cycle but I talked to one of the avalanche forecasters at the end of
the day and he hadn't seen anything new in highway corridor. The surface hoar
that was an issue awhile back also seems to be dormant for the time being at
least in the areas I've been skiing recently - mostly trees.
That said, it sounded as if there was an incident in the Connaught valley,
perhaps in the Grizzly Mtn/upper Grizzly Bowl area. This would go with the
observations we made in that open areas at treeline and above have had recent
wind effect and wind slabs are a probability up there.
As is usually the case, if you go where the snow is soft with quality skiing
and avoid areas where the wind has got at it making the skiing crap you may
well also avoid the major avalanche problems right now.
Mark Klassen
IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide
www.alpinism.com/SORCERER-LODGE
_______________________________________________
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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