The drought continues, at least for a few more days. Rugged conditions on any sort of objective involving snow or ice continues to be the theme.
WEATHER
Forecasts are not entirely in agreement, but there may be a change in the weather pattern coming, especially to the south.
No major changes over the past week in the mountains. The hot sunny weather continues through the weekend and into the begining of next week with some possible cooling and precipitation forecasted to start mid-week. The biggest hazard continues to be rockfall from melting snow and ice in steep terrain.
It is now typical late August conditions, with high snow lines on glaciers, brown-streaked ice faces prone to rockfall, and dry rock ridges and faces.
The hot and dry conditions over the last month have rapidly reduced the snow coverage in many areas, and this is probably the main change over the past week. The result of this is increased rockfall from steep ice faces or couloirs, and the increased complexity of glacier travel as crevase bridges melt out and bergschrunds open up.
Weather; After a few afternoons with thunderstorms a high pressure should bring some stability and lower the chances of afternoon storms, however lightning and heavy rain is still possible in isolated areas. Otherwise the forecast is primary sun and alpine temps in the 30 range!
Conditions; Great conditions across the mountain ranges right now, with dry rock routes and good travel on snow. Glaciers are showing crevasses now and some motes are getting harder to cross. Expect a rapid transition with the snow melt and rocks starting to move around with the melt.
Apologies for the late Summary.
Summer was back today with a warm overnight tempered somewhat by a good freeze/clear skies.
From my observations most of the recent light snow along the Rockies divide has melted.
It has been really hot the past couple of days and conditions are changing fast on anything snowy or mixed.
In the Columbias, many regular routes like Sir Donald are dry, and Mt. Rogers had great conditions reported on the glacier. The Bugaboos still has good snow coverage on the Bugaboo/Snowpatch Col but melting fast. In the Rockies it is a mixed bag. One recent report from Lake O’hara found some routes in great shape like Mt. Victoria, but routes like Lefroy and Hungabee were decidedly out of shape.
The mountains are embracing early summer-like conditions. Most lingering snow is disappearing from mid elevation hiking, and the wild flowers are in full swing with the weather being sunny and hot!
Weather,
Generally sunny with above average temperatures being forecasted for the weekend. Although not as warm as the "heat dome" of last year, we are experiencing warm alpine temperatures. Thunder and lightning is always on the radar in the afternoon these days.
Hazards,
Summer has finally arrived in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains! The drastically warmer temperatures, coupled with significant rainfall to mountain top last week, have rapidly changed conditions with noticeable differences from day to day.
While many higher elevation rock climbing objectives on sunny aspects are coming into shape, the shady aspects still need some time to dry out.
Weather,
With all the lingering moisture this spring, daily thunderstorms seem to be common, ranging from severe to mild. Weather models are uncertain regarding the weekend, most are showing a mix of conditions from sun, rain and snow above 3000m.
Hazards,
Avalanches, we are in an early spring transition period with avalanche hazard in the alpine. Multiple large slab and wet avalanches were reported from the Icefields Parkway and Bugaboos this week.
Glaciers, are starting to show sags over crevasses as the winter snowpack melts.
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