[MCR] Purcell Mountains/Spillimachean Valley

Subject: [MCR] Purcell Mountains/Spillimachean Valley
Date: Wed, 01 Jan 2014 21:04:53 -0700
  We skied Caribou Ridge in the west end of the Spillimachean Valley today.  In the cut blocks the snowpack is very weak with only 110cm at 1800m.  There is a very thick surface hoar layer down 60cm with 10-20mm crystals.  The slab above this layer is stiff enough to allow for wide propagation(1F-4F).  The basal snowpack layers are also very weak and facetted.  
  We experienced numerous very large whumphs on the surface hoar layer which formed shooting cracks at least 50m+ distance in the 25 degree cutblock.  With an extended column test this slab above the surface hoar propagated across the 90cm block with a sudden planar result (ECTP 28 SP).  Once we got into the trees the snowpack seemed better consolidated but we skied conservatively in open glades.  The alpine looks like it has had quite a bit of wind in the last week.    

Play safe!


Kirsten Knechtel
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
Golden, BC 
kirsten.knechtel@xxxxxxxxx



From: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wednesday, 1 January, 2014 5:31 PM
To: Public Mountain Conditions Report <mcr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [MCR] accident patterns

We are seeing a bit of a trend in the last 10 days or so with accidents in the Golden area. I’m a little worried that this is the start of something bigger and more widespread as the holidays end and people are looking for that last big ride before heading back to work or school.

 

There’s a couple of new blog posts from the last few days here:

 

http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/forecaster-blog/

 

And Check out these accident reports from the last couple of days:

 

Dec 29th incident: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/library/incident-report-database/view/92a45229-a527-4355-a17d-1fc8f02d7eb5

Yesterday's incident: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/library/incident-report-database/view/a42b5c49-de79-43bc-b6b5-b7a45531dc5b

 

Stay safe.

 

Karl Klassen, Canadian Avalanche Centre 

kklassen@xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

_______________________________________________ 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.
_______________________________________________
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.