[MCR] Maligne lake area

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Up to stretch my legs yesterday...see what wax was left on my skis 
from last year.

Not much snow at all till you get near the parking lot at Maligne.

At the Maligne parking lot is was about -10, and about 10cm on the 
ground. Lots of big surface hoar to 10mm. There is a hard crust layer 
near the ground which supports skis.
At the summer trail turnoff (1950m) there is about 25cm.

Good travel on a thin snowpack and broke a trail up to the alpine 
staying left of the snowshoe track on the summer trail

there is approximately 35-45cm on the ground. Where wind affected 
before the last storm, the crust is laminated on the ground.

A quick pit in the alpine showed 10cm of newer recrystallized 
snow(fist resistance), then a 4cm crust, followed a weaker layer (4 
finger) and another crust close to the ground. Surface hoar is 
evident but less in the alpine. The depth was 35cm at this pit.

No wind affect in the alpine since the last snowfall from last weekend.

Though shallow the pack carried well. Followed the fire road down 
which was fast....Wouldn't recommend skiing off the road yet, still 
lots of ground features just covered...

I would expect that with any kind of new significant load the weak 
upper pack together with the upper crust may provide a sliding 
interface. Would suspect the crust is clean and smooth in scoured 
areas up higher and the next storm cycle will be interesting.

A beautiful day in the alpine, quite few people out....some walking, 
some skiing and some with crazy carpets on the ridge crests....

Peter Amann
Mountain guide



Peter Amann
Mountain Guide
pamann at incentre.net
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