[MCR] Yukon Conditions

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Just got back from 6 days in the Yukon. Mostly doing helicopter based
terrain analysis, but some ski testing. Limited formal snowpack obs, but
regardless here is a conditions update and a few photos for anyone
considering venturing up that way this year:

 

Wheaton Valley, Montana Mtn, Powder Valley, and White Pass areas - Feb
19-22:

Snow cover is quite variable due to typical Yukon winds (mainly SW so far
this year) and dryer facetted snowpack leaving windward asps scoured to rock
in many places. The snow starts to get more interior (less continental) at
White Pass (Log Cabin, Fraser Valley, Summit, Feather area) although still
pretty variable due to the wind. Certainly seems to be deeper snowpack than
last year in early April when I was there - perhaps averaging 200-300 cm
near Summit and Feather area. Other than the typical continental weak basil
pack which gets worse the further east you go, only weak layer noted was the
surface hoar down 30 cm - quite reactive on Feb 22 at a treeline feature-
propagating 25 m away from the ski tips! (photo below). The SH issue seems
to be isolated to sheltered areas, and I'm not sure how much it is an issue
below treeline - minimal obs at lower elevations. No recent natural
avalanches observed, but suspect there may have been some windslabs pull out
in the small system with wind that came through Feb 20-21.

 

Tombstone Territorial Park (N. Klondike River, Grizzly Lake, Tombstone
River, Hart River, and Robert Service drainages) - Feb 23-24:

More of the same as above, only a little more facetted and rotten. Average
of perhaps 100 cm of snow, although this doesn't mean much due to extreme
variability. Some supportive terrain where wind has deposited and packed
snow. With smooth ground cover, some slopes quite skiable with only 20 cm
wind-packed HS! No recent avalanches observed. Even though snowpack is above
threshold most start zones, the load just isn't there yet.

 

Cheers,

Brian Gould

MG

bgould at avalancheservices.ca

 



Tombstones

 

 



Mt. Monolith

 



Tombstones

 



Tombstones - Mt. Monolith



Powder Valley area

 



Powder Valley area

 

 



North end of Powder Valley area. Sc Size 1 - propagating 25 m wide on
surface hoar approx. 30 cm down.

 

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