Mountain Conditions Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued Sept 19th, 2006
Nine grey and sloppy days in a row now in the alpine of the Rockies and Selkirks. Snowpack depths vary widely but expect at least patchy snow at treeline. 15-30cms snow in the alpine in the rockies and more in some interior locations. Generally it has been a relatively warm(hanging around 0c) and relatively calm week in the alpine with lots of cloud and only light precipitation.
Very limited observations. However, in the last four days at Lake Ohara I saw size 1-2 wet avalanches with a few rocks onboard coming out of steep terrain every time the sun came out. Good travel on the Opabin glacier today but I had no interest in wandering anywhere near big slopes like Lefroy or the west face of Hungabee.
Even moderate elevation rock routes like Castle and Louis are still a little white and probably very wet as of this afternoon.
Not quite cold enough for any reasonable waterfall ice or decent mixed climbing below 4000m's.
If you are desperate, there is probably some decent wet snow skiing up high somewhere. Stability is widley variable but definetly will deteriorate quickly in the sun and on warm days. The rocks and ice are just under the surface. Stick to mellow terrain or better yet, watch a good movie.
Larry Stanier
Mountain Guide