LIABILITY WAIVER
This mountain conditions advisory is provided as a public service by Aspiring Guides Ltd. It is intended as an advisory only. Those endeavouring to travel into any of the areas mentioned do so at their own risk. Backcountry travellers should be well informed about current weather, snowpack and avalanche hazards and should not travel alone. All members of your party should wear a transceiver (457khz) and know how to use it. In addition everyone should carry a shovel, and a probe. Travellers should advise someone where they are travelling, and when they will next make contact. |
Topic: Black Peak snow and ice : 2 Aug 2010
Comment: Around 30cm of new snow fell at the hut (1800m) over 36 hours. 31/7 to 01/08.
This new snow was generally heavy and wet.
Natural slab and point release avalanches up to size 2 were widespread on S and SE slopes below 1800m.
Compression tests produced moderate to hard results, failing on an ice layer.
We did NOT venture down to the ice today due to the touchy nature of the snow. Warming this afternoon produced further slides at and around the crags.
Ice is still on... get in quick for some treats.
Entered by: Gavin Lang
Topic: Black Peak snow
Comment: 24/07/10 black peak hut area
About 20 cm of wind affected snow lays over surface hoar on a weak ice crust. Multiple layers of depth hoar exsit beneath this ice crust and between layers of 4 finger to pencil hard snow. The snow pack is generally very weak.
Very easy shears were found about the ice crust but there is no distinctive sliding surface beneth this weakness or load above it to create avalanching, despite extensive settlements about the patch, between 1600 and 1900m.
Entered by: Phil Penney
Topic: Black Peak Ice : 19 July 2010
Comment: Great conditions at the crag. Ice a little bit brittle in the shade, dinner plating and spraying everywhere.... but great coverage.
Access to all climbs via the stomped out superhighway is easy, but this may disappear with this new snow that is bound to arrive before the end of Winter.
A mix of facets and wind packed snow encountered on climb to the summit of Black Peak.
Entered by: Gavin
