We just finished one of the ACMG Assistant Ski Guides exams over the last 9 days.
We traveled through the Wapta area on the 7-8, Albert Icefield on the 10-11, and Rogers Pass on the 12-13.
Here is what we found
Wapta Icefield- Objectives included Mt Gordon, Mt Olive, St Nick, Mt Balfour. Overall fast alpine travel conditions, with isothermal conditions at tree line and below in PM. Generally good snowpack stability with deteriorating conditions from daytime warming.
Albert Icefieds (Southern Selkirks)- Conditions changed over the two days from spring like conditions, to winter with 15 cm of new snow in alpine, moist below 6000’. Light to moderate winds from SW creating some transport at ridgetop and lee features. Stability remained in the good range (mod- low hazard), deteriorating on solar aspects from daytime warming/ radiation.
Rogers Pass- Traveled in Asulkan, Illicillewaet, and Connaught drainages. New snow accumulations on average of 30 cm with light to strong SWly winds (location dependant). Soft slabs and lee loading beginning to occur, moderate trail breaking up to 30 cm. excellent powder skiing on North aspects above 5500’. New snow overlies variety of surfaces depending on aspect and elevation, including supportive crust in alpine, moist snow at treeline, and wet snow below tree line. Stability was on a decreasing trend with additional snow accumulations and wind transport/ loading.
Overall temperatures in all areas ranged from -5 to +5. Limited avalanche observations, mostly solar triggered loose snow avalanches on steep southerly and westerly aspects.
Compiled by the Guide candidates
C/O Jeff Honig MG
Hias Ahrens MG