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13km McDonell near Microwave

Published
Jan 29th, 2017 6:40 PM
Daniel Helm
Purcells
Details

Type

quick

Coordinates

54.733170, -127.459060

Quick Observation

Below Treeline: saw significant whumphing and shooting cracks (up to 50m) on rain crust, which disappeared around treeline at 1250m. Just below treeline found 5cm of wet snow on top of rain crust. Treeline: Dug a pit at treeline (1350m) on a northwest aspect. Height of snow = 185cm. Upper snow pack seemed well consolidated. CT25 on hoarfrost 45cm down. Rain crust at 140cm down with 20cm of facets above and facets to ground below. Alpine: On approach to alpine, stopped at 13:30 to discuss route up base of ridge on E of bowl. No sign of recent activity but noticed heavy winds and snow transport. Continued touring and at 13:40 stopped to look into valley and saw the three large avalanches in the bowl (north aspect) where none had previously been (creepy). Avalanches (from photographers L-R): FIRST: apparent cornice release and trigger. Ran 500m. Crown ~2m deep (guess from afar) and 200m wide. SECOND: In guts of the north bowl. Crown was hard to see but ~1m. Ran 150m. THIRD: Ran 50m. Crown 1m+ in spots and ~80m wide.