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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

[MCR] Howsons 26 Feb 08

Conditions are changing rapidly and in ways that I have not seen before.
We skied Loft Peak yesterday and found surface hoar to size 2 and 3 all
the way to the ridgetops in all aspects that were not affected by wind.
We actually skied off the summit in surface hoar. That is now buried by
20 cm of new snow. There was little wind to destroy the surface hoar.
Today we skied the north flank of Tom George Mountain and the Solitaire
Ski Peak. The new snow sheared easily on facets. It is quite dense (100
kg/m3) and cohesive. Today there was not enough new snow yet to form
slabs in skiable terrain, but I don't think that time is far off. There
was no visibility all day, but we heard several avalanches off Hut Peak.
At least the skiing was very good for those who had reference ...

--
Christoph Dietzfelbinger
IFMGA/ UIAGM Mountain Guide - Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet
Box 4222 Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Canada
tel. 250-847-3351/ fax 250-847-2854
info@bearmountaineering.ca www.bearmountaineering.ca

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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.
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