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ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued 05/28/2015
It looks like the bluebird, summer like conditions have come to an end for a little while. The last couple days have been good reminders of storm build up and the potential of thunderstorms here in the rockies. More unsettled weather is on the menu for the next couple days, with slightly cooler temps.
With all the warm temps and sun from the past week, the mountains have really started to clean themselves off. Rogers Pass has had a significant decrease in snow levels, with swollen creek levels and two significant size 3 avalanches, off Macdonald and one on Catamount to the ground. Alpine routes still have a ways to go though before being in "normal" shape, with lone-pine slide path on Tupper and NW routes on Macdonald being the only known attempts so far.
On the Icefields, several slabs up to 2.5 have released this past week. One on the upper parkers ridge and one on son of Snow dome- both in the 2500-2600m level. As mentioned earlier as well, a large serac failure off the hourglass ran past the flats and below, and a deep slab left of the silver horn, a 3rd of the way from the top have also been witnessed. Groups have experienced great travel in and around the Athabasca area, with early starts and fast travel, but climbers should be suspicious about loaded higher alpine features that have not gone yet.
Current conditions on North Face of Athabasca and practice gullies on Andromeda are great travel but It seems likely some of these North Face routes are not going to be in condition for very long given the lack of winter snow.
Jasper Alpine is still snowy along with the East ridge of Edith Cavell. The road is also closed until the end of June for construction on the bridge. The Berg Lake Trail into Robson is only open up to White Horn and Snow Bird Pass is Closed due to snow for hiking.
Overall, spring feels pretty advanced in the mountains with all the heat of the past couple weeks. Currently, the freezing levels are staying quite high, and precipitation is mostly arriving as rain up to mountain tops. Expect weak and mushy snow, slumping cornices and crevasses, and lots of potential for rock fall. An overnight freeze could provide great travel that would deteriorate quickly when the day warms.
Potential for thunderstorms are an increasing factor to consider in planning the days objectives. Still lots of great opportunity for adventure when the rain stops, but be aware that conditions are in a state of change right now as we continue to move towards summer.
Sarah Hueniken
ACMG Alpine 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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