[MCR] Selkirks, Esplanades Feb. 20 - 27

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

BlankSpent the past week in the Esplanade Range, NW of Golden, NE of Roger's Pass.15 to 20cm of storm snow fell the past three days with some wind, forming soft slab over Feb24 SH. Feb24 SH dwn 20cm and Feb10 SH dwn 35cm remain reactive with sudden fractures in stab tests, the Feb. 24th layer being very touchy. These layers were responsible for many skier triggered avalanches on N through E asps at all elevations.   One skier had a close call on a short steep slope N aspect at 1550 meters elevation. The fast running slide kicked her skis out from under her and she swam for 50M ending up partially buried to waist.
The solar aspects - S & E were not as twitchy, but had breakable crust under the new snow, so did not ski as well. 
The buried Feb. 24 surface hoar deserves respect, and may give us grief for a couple of weeks. It was the cause of many avalanches yesterday (Sat, the 27) in Roger's Pass and other locations in the Selkirks and Monashees. See Larry Stanier's report from Monashees.
Be safe.  Russell Lybarger. Ski Guide.
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