[MCR] Selkirks

Hi all

Up at Selkirk Lodge right now and just a bit of a heads as today was the first splitter day with temps forecast to rise over the next few.

Since Friday night there has been 50-70cms of new snow at Selkirk Lodge with lots of wind. Yesterday the storm ended and it was cold and clear and today we got to venture out a bit further a field. The word on the streets before we flew in was that a facet layer and surface hoar layer was buried, and especially well preserved on shady aspects above 2000m. During the storm while skiing treeline and below elevations we were able to trigger numerous 1 to 1.5 slabs on this layer and even through today we have been getting large whoompfs. The clearing showed a fair bit of avalanche activity from the storm cycle, but with the amount of new snow and wind it is really hard to tell how much avalanche activity may have occurred. As a result of our observations we have tended to completely avoid avalanche terrain. Today a test pit at 2400m N aspect showed well preserved surface hoar to 10mm down 55cms produced Moderate Sudden Planar compression test results. Another positive affirmation of our conservative terrain choices.

Stay safe and enjoy the latest return to winter!

Evan Stevens

Mountain Guide

http://www.vmt.ca

_______________________________________________
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.