[MCR] ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 23rd, 2013

ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 23rd, 2013 It looks like a mediocre weekend to be ambitious in the mountains. Wet, cool and grey so walking or rock climbing under a big roof is about as good as it may get:) Snow fell most of the day in Canmore and it still remains in places. Kananaskis country rangers estimated that there might be close to 30cm of new snow on Yamnuska. A touch less snow reported in Banff and an estimate of 10-15 cm at treeline around Lake Louise. Things seem a little more pleasant in Jasper as they reported no precipitation yet as of late this afternoon. Raindrops in their forecast. So, it is possible that the Columbia Icefields received much less snow than those Rockies close to the Trans Canada Highway. I will go out on a limb and guess that it ain't likely to be crisp and bluebird there tomorrow morning though! In Revelstoke the snow line was around 1700m this afternoon. Next is a quote from Paddy Jerome with the Glacier Park/Rogers Pass Visitor Safety crew "Freezing levels descended quickly this morning to 1300 meters at approx 9am. Light snow most of the day clinging to the vegetation but not the roads mercifully, but that may change overnight. 230 cm snow on the ground at Fidelity with 5 cm overnight at treeline. Winter snowpack will be encountered at 1500 meters in the Pass and 1700 meters further west at Mt.Revelstoke Nat'l Park. Deep slab avalanches up to size 2.5 / 3 still being observed these days and plenty of monstrous cornices still lingering at ridge line." Before all this recent precipitation some alpine snow and ice routes were in decent shape. They will need a little time for this new snow to settle and bond. A day or two of melting and freezing and things could come around to decent spring snow. Cornices, sagging crevasse bridges and possibly alpine windslabs will hang around for longer and good visibility and a clever mind will be the key as usual to avoiding these problems. Seems like a good weekend for doing something. I am just not sure what! Larry Stanier ACMG Mountain 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. Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.

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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.
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