![]()
ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued Nov 13, 2014
Well if you hadn?t noticed, fall is over. In the Rockies, cold temperatures down to -25C have flash frozen all the water around, and many ice climbs are in or forming fast, albeit they will be very ?true? or hard for the grade.
Snow cover ranges from 5-10cm at valley bottom, 40-60cm at treeline, and 60-100+cm in the alpine. People have been out ?skiing? along Hwy 93 N and Kananaskis Country, but it is reported to be desperate at best except for the odd alpine gully feature that has enough snow to bury the jagged rock sharks below. Reports from the Wapta found good powder skiing on the glaciers, but snow bridges over crevasses are variable and hard to judge. People are wearing the rope and probing more often than not at this time of year.
The interior has enough snow to be decently skiable above 1900m with 60-100cm, but in most places below that expect to encounter grim rodeo skiing or better yet, walking. A supportive near basal rain crust up to 2500m has been observed in many Interior areas, and reports are saying there is enough snow in steep, convex alpine areas to produce larger avalanches.
There is certainly enough snow in alpine areas for avalanches in both regions, especially in steep, unsupported terrain where the odd wind slab might be hanging out. Its winter and that means using avalanche gear for both climbing and skiing where the conditions dictate.
The forecast looks to be severe clear for the next week and beyond, which will be bad for skiing and great for climbing. Expect some local avalanche forecasts to start within the next week or so, and stay tuned to the MCR for local guides posting on current conditions.
Steve Holeczi
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.
|