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ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 22, 2014
The warm spring weather over the last week has changed the mountain conditions substantially. Spring is here, and at times it feels like summer might even be around the corner.
People continue to have excellent conditions for icefield ski touring. Access to and from the mountains is becoming more of a challenge as the low and mid elevations melt out, but once up on the glaciers the conditions are good. Plan on frozen snow (crampon/ski crampons), as a solid melt-freeze crust was reported to above 3000 meters this week.
Lots of large avalanches were reported this week from the heat. Big, wet and dirty avalanches, sometimes triggered by cornices and running far. It?s that time of year when the mountains shed their winter skin, so rise in the dark and call it quits early in the day.
Most of the rock climbing areas are coming into good shape now, especially the valley bottom crags which are all good-to-go. Higher cliffs like Yamnuska are only just drying out, and water should still be expected in the cracks and chimneys, and snow patches remain on the higher north facing slopes. Alpine rock climbing is far from being ready here in the Rockies, but you might get a pleasant surprise on a south facing alpine rock route in the interior right now.
Don?t forget the daily tick check, as those little critters are out in full force this time of year just looking for legs to cling on to. Expect the rivers to come up over the next few weeks. Snowpacks are high, so once it starts to rain it will be time to watch for flash flooding in canyon areas.
The weather forecast for this coming weekend looks mixed with Saturday being the best of the two days. Expect some rain on Sunday but then the start of next week looks good again. Temperatures are expected into the mid-teens.
Have a great weekend!
Grant Statham
ACMG Mountain Guide
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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. 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.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml#unsubscribe to remove your name from
this list.
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