[MCR] Rockies - Little Yoho Region

Just back from 4 days of ski touring in the Little Yoho valley area.

Snowpack depth at treeline in this area ranges from 120-140cm, with 20 cm of very low density snow having fallen over the last 36 hours. Cold temps and very light winds (treeline and below) have kept the surface snow fluffy and deep - excellent deep powder skiing between 2500 and 2000 m.  Below 2000 m the snow is still good, except you can really feel an old ice crust down about 40 cm, and the ground cover is still rough in the trees.

The Dec 18 layer is the one to watch in this area, and is buried anywhere from 40-60 cm. The grains on this layer are variable depending on elevation, but up to about 2100 m it is surface hoar on a strong ice crust - perfect recipe for a sliding layer.  Above 2100 m the surface hoar still exists, but no crust. 

As of today there was no slab on top of this layer (we only observed to treeline), but this seems perched to change anytime. Any small change (more snow, wind or warming) and this avalanche problem will ignite.

Note that Parks Canada has started publishing a new avalanche forecast for this region specifically (Little Yoho).  You can find the forecast here:

http://avalanche.pc.gc.ca

And a few facts about this region here (apologies for the awful photo):

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/little-yoho

Grant Statham

Mountain Guide

Parks Canada

____________________________

Grant Statham, Mountain Guide

Alpine Specialists

701 - 2nd Street

Canmore, Alberta

Canada  T1W 2K3

_______________________________________________
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.