[MCR] Black Prince Ski Touring

Subject: [MCR] Black Prince Ski Touring
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:37:49 -0700

Pleasant day today at Black Prince with temps around -9C @ 11 AM, only light winds (for a change!) and occasional light snowfall. A quick test profile at around 2000 meters (halfway up the Black Prince Apron) showed a snowpack a well settled mid pack in a total snop depth of 155cm. There was an easy shear on a compression test on small facets at the interface of the recent storm snow about 25-30 cm down. Our test location was quite unaffected by recent winds and the overlaying slab was not cohesive enough to where it was a concern for skier triggering today. I’m sure this would be fundamentally different in many locations at tree line and above in the area.

 

It was my first day ski touring in the hill country of Alberta for this season and I was amazed how wind scoured the terrain above tree line was. On the positive side, the skiing was excellent today with only few old tracks visible.

 

Jorg Wilz

Moutain Guide (ACMG / VDBS / IFMGA)

 

OnTop ltd.

1 800 506 7177 or (001) 403 678 2717

www.ontopmountaineering.com

 

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