I hope this finds Everyone enjoying the beginning of Spring....
Yesterday amounted to a pleasant day in the hills. It was snowing in the valleys early morning, and then became sunny and warm by mid-morning with some flurries on the higher peaks by early-afternoon.
The best snow was found in sheltered (where no wind and sun has affected it) north as well as some east-facing alpine and treeline terrain; although, the snow became moist as you skied into lower-angle terrain on the north sides at approximately 5000'. The snow was still cold and light, and boot-top deep in those north-facing sheltered places. Even a slight tilt in the slope toward a southeast, south, south-west, or westerly direction had a noticeable crust forming on the snow surface.
I didn't observe any new slab-avalanche activity yesterday but be cautious at this time of year. Spring days produce a good deal of heat in the form of direct sun-effect on slopes that are southerly-facing (especially steeper ones) and also in the form of 'heat' that gets trapped beneath a cloud layer (even a thin one) and the snow surface ~ creating a 'greenhouse' effect which can destabilise the snow.
I did notice that cornices are large and overhanging in places and should be given a wide margin if you are travelling past terrain with an overhead hazard such as this. But, also consider not just the obvious hazard - which is the cornice itself.... but the type/size/scale/consequences of the slope beneath that cornice should it be subjected to a cornice fall..... a 'bomb' like that has the potential to awaken those old and deeply-buried layers in the snowcover that have been haunting us all all season........
Wishing you a great start to the Spring ski season.
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Member
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
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