[MCR] Mystery Creek, South Coast Mountains

I spent the last three days in the Mystery Creek Area just S of  Mt. Curry. Air temperatures reached as high as 10c during the afternoons at 2000m. Solar aspects in the alpine where corn after a couple of hours of sun.  It was like a little bit of spring!  N aspects in the alpine where a little crunchy, but there was good faceted/surface hoar surface skiing on sheltered true N aspects at tree line.

 

On the 24^th we had an avalanche cycle that effected the S solar aspects in the alpine. The snow warmed and went isothermal to ground in some shallow locations. We saw point releases to Size 2.5, with a few that removed all the winters snow. Only one created a step down fracture that barely propagated beyond the point release width. N aspects stayed cool and icy. The 25^th and 26^th saw limited new avalanche activity.

 

At 1820m the hight of snow was 125cm. In glaciated areas 2000-2500m the average height was 200cm. Many crevasses where clearly visible. Some have very saggy bridges.

Creeks at tree line and higher are generally filled over but still noticeable. Hitting hidden rocks was a very noticeable hazard. All of us got some ski base damage!       

 

Dave Sarkany

 

 

ACMG Ski Guide - Association of Canadian Mountain Guides

 

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