January 6-12, 2003, Powder Creek Lodge, Kaslo, BC
1/6/03
Canada BC
4124
3
Reference http://community.netidea.com/powder// for details. This helicopter-accessed backcountry touring lodge is not cheap, but is among the best. Heather Smith (custodian and owner) runs a very good show. She is considerate of her guests and keeps the place happy. Her cook and guides were first rate. Of course, as a result reservations at Powder Creek are in demand. Book now for next year.
We were delayed a day going in and coming out by fog near Kaslo (on Kootenay Lake). No new snow until the last day of skiing (12 cm). Snowpack was ~1.3 meters at 7100'. A lot of good skiing was done. We were limited in our choice of terrain by avalanche hazard (persistent hoar-frost instability; big, big whumps; recent class 2 slides). Powder Creek is the same distance E of Kaslo as Mt. Carlyle is W. Carlyle is where the triple-fatality avalanche involving Seattle skiers occurred at the same time last year.
Destinations ranged from an 8900' unnamed minor peak perched atop fields of wind crusted snow to a 5400' talus field with just enough cover to work. Best skiing was found in sheltered or northerly glades and bowls and in the trees. Runs were typically 1000vf (one was 3000vf). Weather was mostly clear, calm, and sunny (more like spring than January most days).
Kaslo is 11 hours from Seattle if the roads are in shape and you've got your passport.
We were delayed a day going in and coming out by fog near Kaslo (on Kootenay Lake). No new snow until the last day of skiing (12 cm). Snowpack was ~1.3 meters at 7100'. A lot of good skiing was done. We were limited in our choice of terrain by avalanche hazard (persistent hoar-frost instability; big, big whumps; recent class 2 slides). Powder Creek is the same distance E of Kaslo as Mt. Carlyle is W. Carlyle is where the triple-fatality avalanche involving Seattle skiers occurred at the same time last year.
Destinations ranged from an 8900' unnamed minor peak perched atop fields of wind crusted snow to a 5400' talus field with just enough cover to work. Best skiing was found in sheltered or northerly glades and bowls and in the trees. Runs were typically 1000vf (one was 3000vf). Weather was mostly clear, calm, and sunny (more like spring than January most days).
Kaslo is 11 hours from Seattle if the roads are in shape and you've got your passport.
Hey Brent, thanks for the TR on Powder Creek! We Tacoma-based bunch are up there in about a month. I'd like to know even more about the trip and conditions. If you still have my e-mail after our Campbell trip last year, send me a message. If not, post something here! TIA! Tim
Tim, are you going with a guide or on your own? The former makes it easy. Just listen to your guide. If the latter, be aware of a hoar frost layer now ~2 feet down (similar to the bed surface of the recent CM fatality accident). This layer had our guides' attention. What a guide would advise: Dig pits to profile the snow, carry probes, do not use safety straps (use ski brakes instead), ski cut the top of open slopes and ski them one at a time and stop in a place of safety, keep with a partner in the trees, and ski with your packs. During our week all aspects had slide potential. We bailed out of 'Jenga' and backed off the ramp ('Trap Door') leading to 'The Attic' because of avalanche hazard (big whumps). We also declined to ski a lot of the 'North Face' including an attractive NW facing 'hourglass' couloir on a 3500vf descent from 'Mistletoe'. A lot can happen in a couple of weeks, so none of this may apply by the time you get there. Keep an eye on http://www.avalanche.ca/ Our guides were happy to have this week off because 1.) we had tracked most of the appealing lines that were deemed safe, 2.) there had only been 5 inches of new in the past 10 days, and 3.) a lot of hoar frost (new weak layer?) was observed before the new snow fell on our last day (we mostly stayed in the trees that day). Even with relatively high avalanche hazard there's much enjoyable terrain there that is relatively safe (tree skiing is as good as Campbell Icefield). Take care and have a good trip!
http://pitkow.com/trips_2003-PowderCreek.html
Pictures.
Of course, ignore the silly ones. ;)
Pictures.
Of course, ignore the silly ones. ;)
Reply to this TR
Please login first: