[MCR] Whistler Backcountry

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

I went for a short tour off Whistler Mt. today. It was a warm (-3 mid day)
stormy day with a short break in the weather during the early afternoon. We
found the skiing to be really good. At around 1800m (Tree Line) there is
enough snow depth (averaging around 1m) to make comfortable, careful and not
too stressful turns in open meadows and on the summer groomed runs.

 

There was lots of widespread whoomfing between 1600-1900m. Almost every
slope settled loudly under our weight.  I tried to ski cut smaller features
but could not release any avalanches. The ski penetration was 20-30 cm, and
foot penetration about 70cm. 

 

Dug a pit at 1780m on a NE aspect slope. Snow depth here was 90cm. The most
notable feature was the interface between the November 4 crust and the more
recent storms snow. The recent deposits had accumulated a 60cm slab of Fist
(at the surface) through 1Finger hardness snow. This is on top of a 10cm
layer of 4 Finger hardness facets (1.5mm crystals) which sits loosely on the
Nov 5 crust.

An Extended Column Test had a fracture propagate across the entire column on
the 18th tap (ECTP18) and displaced the column.  The fracture happened in
the facets just above the Nov 5 crust about 30cm above the ground. I have
attached a picture, the Nov 5 crust is the darker snow at the bottom. 

 

The weather conditions did not permit  observation of recent avalanche
activity and we did not feel like getting involved in steeper terrain so I
never witnessed any avalanches, but I think there is definitely now enough
snow to permit a Avalanche Hazard. I'd bet it was on the high side of
Considerable.  Right now it is pouring rain in the Whistler valley and no
doubt the Hazard has gone up. 

 

Feels like ski season!

 

Dave Sarkany

DSK Guiding

 

acmg_ski_SKGABC scanned logo- july 2011

 

ACMG Ski Guide

SKGABC Level 3 Sea Kayak Guide

 

604.938.4056

dsarkany at telus.net

 

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