ACMG Mountain Conditions Summary for the Coast Mountains - September 5th, 2019

Posted on behalf of Andrew Councell

As I just wrote a conditions report for the Joffre and Tantalus areas a few days ago, I don’t have much to add for the coming weekend. That said there are a few things to keep in mind going into the weekend.

We had a lower-than-average snowfall last winter and despite (or maybe because of?) a fairly rainy summer there have been a number of reports of rockfall events. Water helps to loosen rocky slopes and also erodes rocks that have melted into the glacier ice. We are entering into the leanest time of year for glaciers: crevasses continue to widen, moats are becoming massive and problematic, and areas of the mountains that haven’t melted out for some years (or ever) are becoming exposed now. Keep an eye on overhead terrain that may produce rockfall: hanging glaciers, brown-smeared snow/ice faces, steeper ice slopes strewn with rocks and boulders that may melt out.

The weather outlook at the moment is a bit of a mixed bag. Friday marks the end of this stretch of summer weather we’ve enjoyed this week. Saturday looks to be partly cloudy but without any major precipitation and overall a good day to be out. On Sunday, however, forecasts show rain beginning. And then, of course, we’ve always gotta remember “global weirding” where even the experts can’t forecast what’s on the horizon. Last night, for example, there was a powerful thunderstorm raging deep in the Park over Garibaldi and Mamquam mountains. Even further out it looks like maybe even some flurries above ~2500m on Monday?

Have a great safe weekend and let’s keep our fingers crossed for more sunny and dry weather well into the Fall!"

Andrew Councell

IFMGA Mountain Guide
www.mountaincouncell.com