[MCR] Purcells: KHMR backcountry

Subject: [MCR] Purcells: KHMR backcountry
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2012 06:09:42 -0700
To add to Jeff's post from a bit further north in the range.  Light winds and intermittent 1cm/h snowfall today.  Mostly overcast skies.

Test profile at 1770 metres on E-SE aspect: 
  • New storm snow is reactive, but still low density
  • Found surface hoar down 40cm: 10mm mixed with facets 2-3mm.  Reactive in tests, but fortunately no slab properties in upper snowpack so no propagation potential where we were.  Therefore we kept to sheltered, treed areas and pole probed regularly for buried wind slabs as we climbed.  

Same whumpfing and shallow shooting cracks on lower angled terrain as Jeff experienced.  

Ken Bélanger
ASG, CAA2
TopCog Adventures Outdoor Guiding & Adventure Travel

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