ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Coastal Mountains issued May 4th 2010SOUTH COAST / NORTH CACADES

The weekend weather is looking promising. The cool and unsettled airmass has brought periodic snow flurries throughout the week, is stabilizing as a weak ridge of high pressure builds onto the coast. On Wed afternoon (May 5th), I drove by the Coquihalla summit there was 10cm of moist snow over a firm base that held my weight. 
The snowline has fluctuated, and has been down as low as 3000ft 

In the Eldorado Pk area in the North Cascades, there is a report of a recent large slab avalanche (sz. 3.5) on an alpine south aspect. An aerial photo of the slide shows a large propogation that is many hundreds of meters wide.

CENTRAL COAST;
The weather last week continued convective, cool, and periodic snow flurries. Including a pretty good dump of snow down to 4000ft, reported mid-week in Bella Coola. The snowpack is maintaining a late winter appearance at tree-line and alpine locations. White Saddle Air service has reported numerous ski touring groups in Homathco – Waddington – Nirvana – Pass areas. There seems to be quite an international flavor this year, with groups from France, Japan, Bosnia, and Czech Republic. 

Weekend outlook
For the South Coast and Cascades, it seems like a good opportunity to get out for some late season ski touring, while the Coastal rock climbing areas would improve after a couple of warm, dry days. Hopefully this ridge of High Pressure will develop and give us staple weather into next week!

Longer trips in the Central Coast Range will be in good shape for some time to come. 

I was in Penticton for a few days earlier this week, where it was cool, with some occasional rain showers. 

Paul Berntsen, mountain guide