[MCR] ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 30th, 2013

ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 30th, 2013 ACMG Mountain Conditions Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 30th, 2013. Warm and wet. Perhaps not a universally "bad" characteristic, but it is bad news for climbing this weekend. Rain fell along the east slope of the Rockies in the Bow Valley today with more precipitation the farther east you go. Some rain in the interior. Pretty much everywhere in the Rockies and Interior ranges has a greyish forecast for the short term. Problems 1. Cornices-still looming and still being loaded by rain or snow. 2. Alpine snowpack-crevasse and creek snow bridges will likely be weak given the warm temperatures in the forecast-the combination of weak bridges and poor visibility is one of my least favourite things. 3. Wet and or snowy rock. 4. Big rockfalls-a winter's worth of snow and a bunch of rain has pushed hard against all those big rock's perched on big ledges and small edges. Not a likely event but assume that a big rockfall is catastrophic. 5. Snow in the trees along the Rockies and Columbia's divide makes for slow, difficult travelling in the warm and wet. Good news The snow line is creeping up. When the last avalanche deposit is cleared from the Takkakaw Falls road the rock routes up there may be snow free. Freezing levels have been high recently. Rain fell to at least 2500m today in Canmore, maybe higher. Snow is disappearing from some of the east slope moderate elevation features like Louis, EEOR etc. Low elevation crags are simply either wet or not. Find the sun and the big roofs. Go walking on the middle elevation south facing slopes. Walking on greasy mud is good training:) If we get a good freeze or two, this relatively warm recent snow could actually settle quite quickly and get really strong . If. . . . . 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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