April 7th, 2009

Ski  and Snow Report

Rocky Mountain National Park  

Although temperatures in Estes yesterday were in the 50's and the  8' of snow on the deck melted off completely in a few hours of  high altitude (8700') sunlight, the forecast is for more winter weather later this week.

When Eric Sparks and I left the Bear Lake trailhead in RMNP on Sunday morning, temperatures were in the low teens and up to  16" of fresh powder lay waiting for us in the Tyndall Gorge .

More than a foot of new snow fell in the Dream Lake/ Loch Vale zone of RMNP over Friday afternoon and evening (4/2)  and another 4 inches of snow  from Saturday night's storm gave us plenty of  powder for floating on our ski's.

Despite the abundance of new snow, we were treated to a rare phenomenon in RMNP which was low to no winds below 12k and this lack of wind throughout the entire weekend kept the snow in it's non-cohesive (non-slabby) condition and we were treated to  only sloughing snow issues despite skiing slopes over 50 degrees in steepness.

Eric Sparks on the east ridge of Hallett Peak on April 5th with the North Buttress of Hallett in the near distance.
 

Click on outlined photos to enlarge

The CAIC report for the last weekend mentioned some observers in RMNP on Friday (4/3) finding cohesive slabs on north-facing slopes at treeline but I wonder if they weren't  trying to keep away the crowds as in four days of skiing north and east-facing slopes with average 35-45 degree angles(prime avalanche terrain), we found no cohesive snow, reactive slabs, or in any way 'slab avalanche conducive ' snow.   Maybe the observers just didn't know what they were talking about? 

Either way, we released plenty of sloughing snow on these 50 degree hills  but nothing more than a few inches of loose snow on the surface was moving, despite jumping on many convexities on 35-45 degree angles on these storm-loaded slopes.

Trails through the Glacier Gorge, Tyndall Valley,  and the Loch Vale were well beaten down prior to this most storm but the new snow has covered them for the moment.  

High traffic over the spring holidays has likely kept many of the more popular trails solid and there have been lots of snowshoers running around every type of steep and loaded terrain without incident.

The trail into Black Lake still takes its winter course up  the streambed from Mills and Jewel Lake. So much snowshoe traffic (trail maintenance) over the last few weeks had made most of the approaches in RMNP much easier, although some type of flotation (ski or snowshoe)  is now recommended for these and any remote adventures into the high country.

Froggy hopping down the powder filled slopes of the Dead Elk Couloir aka "Dragon's Tooth" on  April 3rd, 2009.

The north face of Mt. Meeker and north and east faces of Longs Peak (above and below on April 6th)  have higher avalanche danger in spots due to more wind loaded slabs and many  unsupported slopes which are likely not the best places to be considering a ski descent or climb at the moment.  

Above, the north face of Longs Peak shines in the first days of spring  with the north face showing decent loading on April 6th and  new  snow  covering the Boulderfield.  Flotation will  be necessary for any excursions to these locations this week due to this deep, soft snow.  

The east face of Ypsilon Mountain shining in the afternoon sun on April 6th, 2009.

Avalanche Danger on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park on April 7th, 2009 is overall MODERATE with some pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger (i.e. Tyndall Glacier, Ptarmigan Glacier, E. Face of Notchtop, Broadway, Notch Couloir) in the more lee loaded, steeper, and especially unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine zone.
 

We always recommend following the CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) avalanche forecasts on a daily basis as a starting point in your trip planning.  This weekend's less helpful forecast for RMNP shows why you should still make your own assessments on avalanche danger and snow stability as conditions can change quickly or be very different from one slope to another.  At least once this winter in the Bear Lk. parking lot, I've met groups heading into ski the Dragontail Couloir based on a MODERATE danger rating from the CAIC when in fact due to ongoing snow and wind , the avalanche danger in that location was in fact HIGH.   

(Left) Scott Edwards starting the first run of the day above Emerald Lake on April 3rd, 2009.
Corien de Jong linking powder turns in the Dead Elk Couloir on the weekly Friday Ski Tour (right)

This weekend's  inconsistent information is not necessarily due to any fault of the skilled CAIC staff,  but likely a result of high variability in the snowpack/mountain ranges combined with a huge area to monitor by humans.  Any picture or description we make is only a snapshot and cannot show the 'whole picture' and so backcountry users have a mandate to make their own best decisions based on their own oberservations of snowpack, weather, and avalanche activity.

The CAIC  morning updates are done between 6 and 7am with an afternoon update to follow.  Access the CAIC here .

(Above) This far away photo from April 6th shows the northeast face of Otis Peak (foreground sun), the Sharktooth and Cathedral Wall Massif (middle rock) and east face of Taylor Peak with the summit plateau in the sun.  The Taylor Glacier Headwall is at far left.  

Eli Helmuth on an April ski tour in Rocky Mountain National Park.  Photo courtesy of Eric Sparks.

        Eli is an AMGA Certified Rock, Alpine, and Ski  Guide.   

Eli Helmuth  offers ski tours and private backcountry clinics that focus on practical skills for minimizing the risks while maximizing the fun  in and around avalanche terrain whether you are on skis, board,  snowshoes, or crampons

These seminars can help increase your skills in making  better backcountry decisions while taking advantage of the great mid-winter skiing and climbing that Colorado has to offer.  Snow related outings are available until mid-June each year.

Contact us at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to register for one of our Friday ski outings, an avalanche seminar, a backcountry ski course, or to arrange a private ski tour with Eli Helmuth, Rocky Mountain National Park's most experienced mountain and ski guide.  

Eli has  10-years of experience as an AMGA guide trainer in rock and alpine guiding and he is equally adept at working with beginners and climbers of all abilities and experience levels.  Eli  has been an AMGA exam-certified Rock Guide since 1991 when he passed his examinations in Yosemite National Park.

 Spring and summer trainings and outings in rock  climbing start in late- April of 2009  with clinics, private coaching, and guiding at all levels of rock climbing in Eldorado Canyon, the Flattirons and in Boulder Canyon throughout the spring, summer , and autumn months.  

North American Avalanche Danger Scale

Danger Level
(& Color)

Avalanche Probability and Avalanche Trigger

Degree and Distribution of Avalanche Danger

Recommended Action
in the Backcountry

Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely.

Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible.

Unstable slabs possible on steep terrain.

Use caution in steeper terrain and  on certain aspects. 

(ORANGE)

Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable.

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Unstable slabs likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Safest travel on windward ridges and lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above.

Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain.

Extremely unstable slabs certain on most aspects and slope angles. Large, destructive avalanches possible. Large, destructive avalanches possible. 

Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and travel confined to low angle terrain well away from avalanche path run-outs.