![]()
ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued October 23rd, 2014
Well, all that fine autumn wx is currently a thing of the past. Rain is falling in most locations from Fernie to Jasper and Kananaskis to Revelstoke. The snow line seems to be around 2000m in most places with light dusting in the higher valleys like Maligne Lake and Columbia Icefields and 5-10cm new snow in the alpine. Closer to the big interior glaciers, it was raining hard at the Bugaboo lodge for the past 48hrs and the snow was down to 1800m as of lunchtime today. The guides at the lodge so it would be tough climbing and terrible skiing there currently. No word from Rogers pass but I am guessing that is wet where it ain't white.
Ice climbs are slowly setting up for success. Lots of wise observations from the classic early season ice crags like Ranger Creek, the Columbia Icefields and Jasper and all say some form of "Patience, Grasshopper". Gullies are wet and freezing at night but still falling apart or not gaining ground during the day. It is slowly getting colder in the forecasts so the ice will soon come.
Still not a "real" snowpack in most places, so avalanche hazard is most likely isolated to windslabs in lee treeline and alpine features and wet snow running off the white cliffs. Certainly enough snow on the glaciers and alpine bowls to bury someone who steps in the wrong place at the wrong time
At some point this fall, it may be time to decide whether you are going to be packing your avalanche rescue gear when you go into the mountains. The ACMG has a goal to encourage climbers to consider bringing avalanche rescue gear on climbing trips. We are certainly not encouraging a dogmatic approach, just an increase in awareness amongst climbers of the need to evaluate avalanche hazard before a trip and carry avalanche rescue gear(or change plans) if they feel there is a any risk of a burial.
For now, have a nice weekend, somewhere!
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.
|
_______________________________________________
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.
|