Guided a group from a base camp at
Nirvana Pass March 18-23. We were the first group in there this
season. We skied the Siva Glacier, Astarte Glacier, Septentrion
Glacier, Vishnu Glacier-Byamee Loop and Juno Basin . Conditions
were still winter-like with temperatures below freezing
throughout the day and the coldest morning being -17C. Good
powder skiing on most aspects. A storm mid-week brought 20cms of
new snow with some wind resulting in a natural avalanche cycle
on northerly aspects. Coverage seemed a bit lower than I
remember in the past, and ridges and moraines were wind
stripped. The height of snow at the pass was about 200cm and
250-280cm on sheltered areas of the glaciers.
We dug down to water in one of the tributaries of Colwell
creek near our camp. Wolverines were everywhere, but left our
camp alone.
A great week with a fun group in an amazing location.
--
Craig Evanoff