[MCR] South Coast ~ Spearhead Range

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Hoping this finds Everyone enjoying all this new snow of late.

 

I spent the day yesterday in the Spearhead Range, and visited the major glaciated terrain between Naden Glacier and Phalanx Glacier. 

 

There was avalanche debris evident from the past two major cycles out there and at least one large slab avalanche that had occured around the time that the weather began clearing on Friday afternoon. This avalanche occured naturally on a convex, or bulging, terrain feature on a northwest aspect in the alpine. The snow that avalanched was snow from that storm overnight Thursday and into Friday morning.

 

Looking into the snow revealed weaknesses, in the upper one-metre of the snowpack, that are in the process of becoming better consolidated but.... the snowpack needs more time to do so. There's been a lot of recent snowfall and loading of many aspects, and strong winds during that time. Terrain features that accentuate stress in the snowpack are certainly suspect (ie. convex alpine slopes, unsupported slopes, steep slopes, etc.).

 

One layer that is noteworthy currently resides at upper treeline elevations, on north aspects, and down one-metre from the surface and just above a thin crust. This layer resulted in moderate and hard testing but its character, at this stage, suggests it has the potential to propagate across slopes if triggered. Fortunately, there is a fair amount of snow on top to limit the amount of triggering, but I'd be careful in shallower spots and be very mindful of the kind of terrain that's being skied until the layer gains strength.

 

Finally, crevasses still present a challenge out there as many are still very evident and some are just partially bridged with open holes, despite all the snow this season.

If you're heading out into glaciated terrain, then it's not a bad idea to have a glacier-travel/rescue kit with you and the knowledge of how best to use that gear. Also, consider preparing good rescue/travel plans, in general, before going out and having your contingencies covered.....

 

Wishing Everyone safe and fun travels.

 

Best regards,

Dale Marcoux

ACMG Asst. Ski Guide

 

 
 		 	   		  
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