| The Canadian Mountain and Ski Guide Program conducted a Ski Guide Exam in the Rockies 13-21 April. Here is a summary of the latter half of the exam conducted out of Mistaya Lodge from the 18-20 April.
The weather was generally unsettled with daily snowfall amounts of 5-10 cm at treeline and up to 20 cm in the alpine. Winds were moderate to strong SW at ridge-top. Temperatures ranged from 0 at treeline to -10 in the alpine. We had good overnight crust recovery every day. It was mostly cloudy or overcast which reduced solar effect.
Snowpack and avalanche concerns: We primarily travelled on north aspects at treeline and above. Total snowpack depths averaged 250-300+ cm. Overall glacier coverage was deep and well consolidated. The new snow bonded well to the old surfaces. Midpack was dense and basal facets were widespread. Isolated windslabs on lee features. Cornices are large and looming.
We observed very few avalanches however we expect that when the sun pops out and begins heating slopes conditions will rapidly change. Once cornices begin dropping, they may trigger the basal facets creating full depth avalanches.
Ski quality was generally quite good on the northerly aspects with cold dry snow and 10-20 cm of ski penetration. Windward aspects were predictably lower quality and we avoided solar slopes.
Ken Bélanger
on behalf of 2014 Rockies CMSG Ski Guide exam candidates
Sent from my iDon't care what kind of phone you have
|