[MCR] Mountain Conditions Summary for the Rockies and Columbias, June 11 2009

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Mountain Conditions Summary for the Rockies and Columbias, June 11 2009

More seasonal weather has arrived  and with it, conditions are changing
fast.  The forecast for the Rockies and Columbia mountains over the weekend
is variable with the only constant being significantly warmer temperatures
then what we have recently had.

There is still a significant difference between the front ranges and the
bigger peaks along the Continental Divide and Columbias.

Many of the rock routes on Mt Louis and and Castle will soon be dry but
expect snow and ice on the descents.  People have been climbing routes on
Lady MacDonald and Fable with reports of mostly dry conditions.  Most of the
routes on the East End Of Rundle have wet streaks running down them but the
sport routes on the left side of the face are dry and have been seeing
regular traffic. 

On the higher peaks, early spring conditions will be the norm.  There were
still reports of isolated windslabs in some parts of the Columbia Icefields
early this week and a continued emphasis on good overnight freezing and
daytime warming are important.  Several loose snow avalanches have been
observed in the last two days as well as cornice triggered slabs similar to
the one pictured in Brad White¹s photos.  It is all about the timing...

The big alpine rock climbs of the Bugaboos and Roger¹s Pass are still a fair
way from being ready.  It will take several consecutive days of above
freezing temperatures at mountain top before they are clear of snow.

Below freezing temperatures and clear skies will be the recipe necessary for
snow and ice routes with a keen eye for the early rising sun on the slopes
above.  In the front ranges it is getting to be the time of year to keep an
eye out for afternoon thundershowers like the ones forecast for Friday
afternoon in the Kananaskis area.

 
Marc Piché
ACMG, IFMGA Mountain Guide



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/mcr/attachments/20090611/88b293b1/attachment.html>