Hi all,
We just wrapped up a fantastic ski touring week at Sorcerer Lodge Mar 25th to Apr 1st.
Weather was mixed & typical for this time of year. Temperatures ranged from -16C overnight to 2C on warmest days below treeline. The area received about 40cm of low density storm snow throughout the week. This made for excellent skiing on most aspects specially on true north. Winds were very active, generally light to moderate from the Southwest, loading new snow and creating wind slabs in lee alpine terrain.
Avalanche conditions were on the touchy side. This week's new snow combined with the previous week's storm snow made for increasingly touchy Storm Slab overlying the March 18th weak layer down 40-100cm. This layer is a classic Spring complex which will require further monitoring in this part of the northern Selkirks. It is composed of a crust/facets combo on East, South and West aspects and Surface Hoar (3-6mm) above 2300m on Northerly aspects. A test profile on the Perfect glacier at 2500m on North aspect showed a moderate compression test with sudden character down 75cm on this layer. A natural avalanche cycle occurred on this layer between March 27 & 28 with several size 2 to 3 slab releases out of very steep northerly alpine terrain. Southerly aspects were also reactive with skier controlled storm slabs to size 1.5 and naturals to size 2.5.
Ski conditions were good to excellent. Despite the wind it was still possible to find good powder skiing in sheltered areas of the alpine. Coverage on the glaciers was very good with over 350cm of settled snow. The snowpack on the glaciers is firm and crevasses are generally well bridged. Excellent skiing could also be found on Northerly aspects below treeline where the main concern was loose snow sloughing while skiing steep unsupported terrain.
Skiing has been consistently amazing this year and mother nature just keeps on giving however, the avalanche conditions are becoming more challenging to monitor as Spring evolves. Enjoy the awesome Spring skiing and keep your avalanche feelers out!
Happy Easter!
David Lussier
Mountain Guide
summitmountainguides.com
