Snowing in the Rockies?
What are the current conditions like out there? Is there any decent skiing to be had in the Rockies? Have a read over the Mountain Conditions Report below to get a better sense of things. Here in the Kootenays the snow level has come way down this AM and looks like there may be 10 -15cm up high, time to get the skis out for a lap or two?
ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued may 3rd, 2012
Spring is in full swing in the Rockies and Columbias. It seems to be warmish and moist across the ranges for now and the snowpack is feeling this too.
There has been some decent skiing but I imagine most places will be be slightly on the melt side of melt freeze for a day or two. Lake Louise group got 20-25 cm snow in the past couple of days but it was reported to be moist even on north faces at treeline by midday today. If the forecast is correct there may be some short windows for some decent corn skiing this weekend but you would have to be clever, lucky and fast to make the most of it.
The short spring nights and forecasted warm temperatures means we MAY be in for a spring avalanche cycle early next week. It is perhaps the first big dose of solar heat in awhile for this snowpack so it will be a big stress. Maybe not lots of widespread activity but probably lots of small slides and quite possibly the odd big greasy spring slide that runs right to the valley.
Ice climbing-hmmm, a bit on the warm side for awhile. Wouldn't want to be anywhere near any surviving daggers or anything with obvious structural flaws or below any snow filled gullies when the heat is on.
Rock climbing-still snow to 1/2 way down the scree on Yamnuska this afternoon. Looks like it would dry off fairly quickly so south facing rock could be a good weekend plan and even better hopefully early next week.
Alpine climbing- maybe a window for the fast and far sighted on sunday monday but I would be very careful about what is over my head as rocks, snowslopes, cornices and ice daggers will all be feeling the gravity more than usual when the heat comes on. Crevasses will sag and creeks will rise. Oh well, at least the bears will all be coming out too.
Find a nice crag, scramble or bit of corn or a good hike from which you can safely watch the winter melt away.
Larry Stanier
IFMGA Mountain Guide