[MCR] (MCR) Northern Selkirk Mountains - Durrand Glacier

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Snow conditions Northern Selkirk Mountains, Durrand Glacier area. With the past large snow-storms (188cm snow-fall last week) the snowpack reached an all time January record of 405cm at the Durrand Glacier snow study plot, elev. 1950m. The mid. and lower snowpack has no persistent weak layers, it is strongly settled and well bonded. Obviously a sign of not much blue sky, but ongoing snow-fall during the past many weeks. The January 12/13 FC layer down 150cm and the January 20 FC layer down 130cm react in most snow test sites only to upper hard (RP) test results. The present strong storm has brought 45cm new snow in 24 hours  and produced a natural avalanche cycle in the alpine. At tree-line and below tree-line no avalanche activities have been observed. The avalanche hazard went into a spike, high in the alpine and considerable at tree-line and below tree-line. With calmer weather expected for the middle and end of the week the avalanche hazard should come down rapidly. Skiing at tree-line and below tree-line is absolutely incredible. Although we cannot go into the alpine at the time, everybody is enjoying amazing skiing in deep powder on long tree-runs. 

Stay safe and have fun skiing the deep powder.

Ruedi Beglinger
ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide
www.selkirkexperience.com
info at selkirkexperience.com