[MCR] 5-Mile Creek, Whitewater Backcountry, Selkirks

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Made a trip with some friends into 5-Mile Creek from the Whitewater ski 
area.  We skied North-East, North and South-West aspects between 1800m 
and 2200m.  The air temperature hovered around -6C during the day.  On 
the North aspect I was getting moderate hand shears down about 30cm at 
elevations above 1900m.  The bond got much stronger near 2000m and the 
shear wasn't very apparent above that.  We felt the snow whumphing in a 
couple of places as well.

The main hazard was the shallow snowpack.  Coverage was minimal, about 
100cm, but enough.  There were a number rocks that were covered by only 
a few centimeters of snow.  We skied our lines conservatively by 
spreading out, avoiding convex rolls and going around big lumps in the 
snow (remembering the rocks).  Although the snowpack was thin, the 
skiing was actually very good.  The denser snow over the ground carried 
well and kept the skis off the rocks and logs.  The dump expected 
tomorrow should help to cover the tops of the smaller trees and reduce 
that hazard but likely increase the avalanche hazard.

Be careful out there.

Craig Hollinger,
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide.