Search MCR

Friday, February 29, 2008

[MCR] Howsons 29 Feb 08

Today we saw a widespread natural avalanche cycle on facets and surface
hoar. Fortunately, the slab is quite shallow - rarely more than 20 cm
and often less. It propagates very easily with cracks shooting 50 m
across slopes. However, it ran slowly and only in quite steep terrain.
It does appear that another crust and facet layer formed on 28 February
and today's avalanches ran on that. A large avalanche ran off Hut Peak
and dusted the valley.

We are moving very carefully and suspect that more load may activate
lower weak layers.

--
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

_______________________________________________
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.