Just thought we would send out a quick update from Kokanee Cabin prior to the
weekend. We've been here since last Saturday and, with the exception of
Tuesday, it has snowed steadily with a total of 164 cm falling. That includes
55 cm last night!
Winds have been generally light with occasional periods of moderate.
Temperatures have been cold, in the -6 to -18 range. New snow densities have
been very light, between 25-45 kg/m3 the entire time. Translation: Kootenay
Cold Smoke at overhead levels!
We haven't seen any avalanches since Monday when there was an extensive, easily
triggered storm and wind slab problem but avalanche sizes were small size ones
only.
We haven't been able to travel far and have only skied close to the lodge at
treeline elevations. Our primary avalanche concerns are some very soft buried
windslabs within the storm snow. We suspect this windslab problem is of far
greater concern in alpine areas. We have observed the November 28 surface hoar
layer buried about 150 cm, and the basal faceting rain crust in thin areas but
have not been able to produce any shear results on those layers with our
testing.
Regardless, we are limiting our terrain choices to smaller, moderate-angled
slopes. The skiing has been fantastic.
Mark Klassen
Mountain Guide
Geoff Osler
Ski Guide
_______________________________________________
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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml#unsubscribe to remove your name from
this list.
|