Rockies and Columbia Mountains with a couple of small precipitation events
that brought showers and a little fresh snow above 2700m. In the high
alpine along the continental divide there is still a lot of winter snow,
especially on shaded aspects, bowls and gullies. At treeline, even east of
the divide, bowls, gullies and avalanche paths may still have enough snow
piled in to make for unpleasant or even dangerous travel when it is warm.
At lower elevations, on exposed ridges, and in the minor ranges things are
trying their best to dry out.
There has been little in the way of overnight freezes over the past two
weeks and the snowpack remains isothermal well into the alpine with only
thin crust developing overnight at best. Travel remains poor up into the
high alpine at all times of the day.
Alpine hazards right now centre around this wet, weak winter snowpack:
- slab avalanches are still possible on shaded alpine aspects
- crevasse bridges are difficult to detect and have very little strength
- rock fall from alpine faces and gullies will occur
- snow bridges across creeks and rivers are collapsing.
- and of course the "little" hazards, like horrendous trail breaking
through waist deep snow and twisting an ankle between boulders.
Reports of alpine travel have been very limited, and for good reason. The
spring transition, especially with the weather we've had, makes it very
challenging to have a safe and successful alpine adventure. A few guides
have been choosing conservative objectives with options that minimise or
avoid exposure to avalanche slopes and gullies for both approaches and
descents. Routes that stay below 2700m and/or stick to ridges are the best
bet right now.
Despite the weather, over the past week and with good timing and route
selection cragging in places like EEOR and Yamnuska has been possible. The
5-day forecast is looking worse, not better; the best bets seem to be
front range rock climbs and scrambles with minimal commitment and no
overhead hazard.
Regards,
Tom Wolfe
AAG/ASG
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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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