Hoping this finds Everyone keeping well and having an excellent start to Summer.
I spent the day travelling over a fair amount of glaciated and alpine terrain on the Ipsoot Massif just west and a little north of Pemberton.
Coverage on north-facing glaciers average anywhere from 130cm to 300cm+ depending upon elevation and site characteristics. I was a little surprised to see a good many crevasses opening already. Sagging bridges were noticeable and there has been plenty of natural cornice-fall. Some cornices are barely hanging in there so be very cautious if you find yourself anywhere near these features.
The temperatures were warm in the alpine today and the sun is packing quite a 'punch' these days.
Most aspects and elevations were suffering from the effects of the warmth and the skiing became quite soft and a little 'sticky' reasonably early in the day. The best ski quality was actually southeast facing high alpine terrain during early evening hours. Once the sun, that had previously baked these slopes, had turned farther west much later in the day, the snow surface here began to gently cool and refreeze, and offered some pleasant and fast skiing. Good fun.
Most of the current avalanche activity was isolated to the top 20-25cm of wet snow producing mostly loose-snow avalanches. A distant observation of a high, steep easterly aspect revealed evidence of a larger slab avalanche but I am uncertain about when it released ~ likely during one of our recent clear-weather & warm spells.
It's been a long skiing season. Enjoy the sun, sand, surf, and sandals Everyone. Have a great Summer!
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Ski Guide
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