[MCR] Spearhead, coast range

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

I Did The Spearhead Traverse today from Blackcomb lifts with a singing pass trail exit.  Seems like today was the day for it.
  a.. Overnight recovery of the surface snow with –7 morning air temperatures. 
  b.. Cloud increased through the day with some afternoon flurries. 
  c.. Down hill skiing was fast on a supportive surface. 
  d.. Uphill track-setting was challenging, even with ski crampons.  Hard on the feet. 
  e.. Dust on crust high up on a few glaciers only. 
  f.. Evidence of wet loose avalanches to size 2.5 on many solar aspects.  Several days old. 
  g.. Some steep east aspects moist at mid day.  By mid afternoon refrozen as the weather changed. 
  h.. Freezing level stayed below tree-line at approx. 1600 meters all day. 
  i.. Tomorrow, Friday is the start of high freezing levels.  Right to ridge top. 
  j.. The crust won’t hang on as long. 
  k.. Early starts are key, aspect is very important as the sun moves around through the day. 
  l.. Singing pass trail was very fast and icy in the upper half.  Slow and wet through the bottom third.  The snow disappeared 1 km from the end.  Walking from there was pretty straightforward.
Chris Lawrence
ACMG Mountain Guide IFMGA
CAA Professional member
mobile: 604 892-4686
chrislawrence at shaw.ca
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