Kathy Meyer (ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide) and myself spent 4 days (May 10-13th) traversing the McBride Range from Blackcomb to Helm Creek.

Conditions were excellent for ski traversing. Much of the snowpack had previously undergone an intensive warming period including a rain event to 3000m May 8th. Most cornices had cleaved off and numerous slopes were "cleaned out" of large loose wet avalanches and deeper slabs awakening.

Overnight freezing set the snowpack up for fast and mostly safe travel but as with late spring conditions, mid-day and afternoon warming warranted caution on solar slopes and less shaded polar slopes.

Glide cracks are widening and glide slabs could release without warning so caution with such features. Glaciers have great coverage still but are evidently moving with the heat; crevasses are opening up. Lots of large old crowns but no notable new avalanches.

We opted to finish along the height of land towards Blacktusk so no first-hand report of Garibaldi Lake. It looked from above to be well covered in snow still and firmer than last week, but cannot confirm. The exit out Helm Creek was an especially pleasant exit with snowline around 1150m.

Happy Traversing!