ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued
We have had classic fall conditions in the Rockies and Columbia ranges this past week. Many front range and low elevation rock climbs on sunny aspects have been dry. North facing higher elevation alpine ice routes have been in good shape, and water ice is starting to form in gully features. It's also been a tricky time of year for glacier travel. Where there is snow, crevasses have very thin snow bridges which are hard to see, and this has been reported in a number of areas in both the Rockies and the Columbias. Climbers have reported rock ridges on shady aspects above 2500m to be slippery, snow covered, and verglassed which has made for slow progress. We are also in that time of year where there may be early season avalanche concerns on certain features such as high elevation gullies and ridge crests, and packing avalanche gear should be a consideration in your alpine plans.
This coming weeks weather looks mixed with warmer, clearer conditions in the front ranges and a fair amount of snow at higher elevations in the Columbia Icefield and Interior regions starting this weekend. You may be able to sneak out on an alpine mission, but be prepared to back off as avalanche and travel conditions will deteriorate fast if the forecast holds true. It looks like a better weekend to tick off any last sunny rock projects in the front ranges before we really head into cooler conditions.
Steve Holeczi
ACMG Mountain 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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