Ranger Creek

Weather

Sky Condition

brokenClouds

Precipitation Type

none

Snowpack

Obs Type

summary

Foot Penetration

50

Site Elevation Band

alp

Surface Conditions

newSnow

climbed R&D and Lone Ranger today. Both in OK condition; a few thin spots and lenses, but still protected well. Lone Ranger is currently quite stiff for the grade (WI3, felt like solid WI4 and not picked at all). Chalice was also in. The approach was also stiff. We were the first party this morning and broke trail through deep snow, which took twice as long as usual. There was 10cm of powder over a very solid crust, with knee to thigh deep consolidated snow below that (which ended about 2100m elevation). The morning had calm winds and no sloughing was observed. However there was evidence of an old small loose slide (<size 1) at the base of Lone Ranger and the winds picked up substantially in the afternoon from the S/SE. We brought avi gear for this high risk area and would encourage others to do likewise - many incidents have occurred in Ranger Creek over the years, especially early season.