Summary of conditions to date – Rockies and Interior Ranges
June 22, 2006
This past week saw unstable weather throughout the region, resulting in thunderstorms with slightly cooler and wetter weather – trace amounts of new snow were reported in alpine areas above 3000 m, but this quickly melted off on sun exposed aspects. South facing rock climbing is generally good and dry, except at the highest elevations.
The mountains are ahead of themselves for what is typical of late June – conditions seem typical of mid July. Most trails are dry and the summer melt is well into moraine areas now. Some crevasses and bergshrunds are starting to open up, but in general the glaciers remain well covered. As the snow continues to melt, it’s the thinner snowpack areas near the firn line where crevasse bridges may be at their weakest.
Sky cover and air temperature determine snow conditions each day – clear nights will produce a solid crust, where cloudy nights or warm days will not. The thickness of the crust will determine how long it lasts each day – so dig down and check. If its 20 cm thick then you’re probably good for a while; if its 4 cm thick then you might think about hurrying up or going somewhere else. This past week the solid crusts began to deteriorate between 10 and 11am.
Along with melting snow comes rockfall, which was observed this week on Mt. Aberdeen as the day warmed up. Choose sheltered routes and try to cross any areas prone to rockfall early in the day.
The forecast for this weekend looks good (after Friday’s thunderstorms). Clear skies should provide a good freeze, but valley bottom temps into the mid 20’s will melt things early. Get an early start and be down by mid afternoon before the crusts melt, rocks fall and thunderstorms move in.
Looks like a great weekend to be in the hills!
Grant Statham
Mountain Guide