Mt Garibaldi does not have much snow left on it. Last weeks hot temperatures had lows in the alpine at +11 degrees. In the alpine this morning it is -2.5 with a fresh dusting of snow.

For those of you missing snow covered mountains: Annapurna South Avalanche

I thought this only happened in the US: Rescue Pilot in trouble

Snowpulse Avalanche Packs, important information: Recall

Avalanche blasting course through the CAA: Registration

Two bodies recovered off Mt Rainier: Avalanche from January

From the New Zealand Avalanche Centre: Update on Conditions

Four Kings Mountain Bike Race, Sundays leg, heading up Pika's Traverse

Many bomb holes evident in Whistler Bowl, early season issues last November required many shots.

Inquest results from mountaineering accident last December: Snowdania

Looking like a wet cycle in New Zealand: Arthur's Pass Mountaineering

Australia having a great season: Season Extended

South America is looking dry: Speed Kiting in Argentina

All about snow: NSIDC

One of the many marmots on the West side of Whistler Mountain.

September and there is still lots of firn snow, many places have gained snow in the past 2 years.

Definition of firn: Wikipedia

Found this clip recently, first time I have seen it: Getting Buried

Snowed in Europe last week: August snow storm

May 1970, Earthquake induced ice avalanche: Huascaran

For anyone who is into downhill mountain biking, check out the Top Of the World Trail on Whistler Mountain. Great trail with some incredible views.

 Another amazing sunset.

The inbound avalanche deaths this past spring in Colorado will now be in the courts, the process will  be interesting to follow and certainly will have an effect on the avalanche forecasting community.

Vail and Winter Park sued over inbounds avalanche deaths: Summit County


Interesting information from the Avalanche in Norway this past winter. The guide that was buried in the avalanche had deployed his air bag.

Accident Investigation from Norweigen Avalanche: March 19, 2012

From Alaska, 40 homes in Avalanche Paths: Juneau

Snowpulse Avalanche Airbags, Important information: Recall

South American Beacon Project: Patrollers sharing beacons

Two of the three cubs and mother that were foraging in Alpine Meadows Friday morning.

Another amazing sunset, not many places in the world where you can enjoy incredible sunsets, head down to the village and enjoy free music.

Weather has felt too much like fall in the past 2 days. Forecast is looking good for the weekend.

The moon did come out a few times last night amongst the rain showers. Full on Friday! +1 in the alpine this morning.


How is precipitation being affected by climate change: One discussion

Earthquake-induced snow avalanches: Journal of Glaciology

Arctic Sea Ice update: Real Climate

Dendrogeomorpholgic approach of snow avalanche magnitude-frequency: Iceland

Cold regions science and technology: More info on tree rings

A hairy woodpecker looking for a meal. These woodpeckers are a bit larger than the common downy woodpecker.

For information on the hairy woodpecker : Picoides Villosus

Slide paths on the Duffy Lake Road are looking very green.

New job posting at CAC: Forecaster

Russian Tourist killed in Avalanche: Kyrgyzstan

Avalanche workshop on the East Coast: ESAW

Farmers Almanac winter predictions: Dry and mild for BC

Avalanche survivor marries rescuer: Married on mountain that buried her

Temperatures in the Alpine are dropping.

When driving on the Duffy Lake Road you will notice under some of the slide paths man made berms and mounds of earth designed to slow the avalanche down and hopefully stop it from hitting the road.

Spectacular sunset last night from Whistler Mountain.

Not much world news in regards to avalanches, all is quiet even in the Southern Hemisphere.

Avalanche Risk Assessment in BC Forests: BC Government Guidelines

From Arthurs Pass New Zealand, looking wet: Wet Avalanches

Climate Change is Real: Only 2 % of Canadians are in denial

Wanderlust has certainly brought Whistler to life. Michael Fanti and Spearhead rocked Olympic Plaza last night, saw a lot of happy people listening to some great music.

Trees destroyed by a small avalanche, which occurred 15+ years ago below the reservoir on Blackcomb Mt. The reservoir was being filled when it overflowed and created an avalanche which knocked down the trees. If you are on the trail system you can see where the event happened.

Conditions look good, Unguided helisking in New Zealand: Cheap

From unofficial networks, Airbags which one to buy: Airbags

Ski Teams training in New Zealand: Driving the Audi's looks fun

Avalanche Research project from Switzerland: RAMMS

University of Calgary presenting 9 papers at the ISSW in Anchorage: Research Papers

Temperatures in the alpine are slowly creeping into - values. Dusting above 2000 meters, The snow cycle restarts. 

Cool nights firm up the sun cups in the alpine.

Avalanche on Nun Peak near Ledakh at 7135 meters prompts helicopter rescue: Nun Peak

Footage of Ghost Glacier ice fall: Mt Edith Cavell

Missing skiers on Ohau Snow Fields: From New Zealand

New Zealand receives a dump last week: Mt Hutt

More winter weather predictions: Accuweather

Tragedy on Mt Robson: Climber collapses snowbridge and is buried

Buck just below the Crystal Hut.

Looking up at Blackcomb Glacier from the beginning of the rescue road.

A much different looking place than in the winter.

Thanks to Sebastien Woiry for submitting these photos of Blackcomb Glacier Park.

Update on Siachen Glacier Avalanche: 78 Recovered

Living in a snow cave for a month: From New Zealand

Climber survives 6 days in a crevasse: 70 year old climber

Mt Buller avalanches, Buller Snow Report: Richard Ross

Landslides and Global weather change: More dangerous than avalanches

The land of thundering snow: From Revelstoke


Had an amazing trip to Brooks Bay on the North West Coast of Vancouver Island. Below are a few shots from this rugged hard to reach coast line.

Lawn Point Provincial Park, no cows!!

Rugged Islands at sunset with Lawn Point off to the right.

Perfect hiking conditions can be found in the Alpine. Mountain flowers are as good as they get.

More news about Vail Avalanche: Legal System

From Australia, must haves for snow enthusiasts: Top 10 must haves

Jasper National Park, Ghost Glacier Falls: Closes Edith Cavell Trail

Leaving for the west coast for at least one week, its been fun working on the Canadian National Paragliding championship, a few more photos below of the competition. It was very sad what happened on Monday, a tragedy happening at a great venue. The northern west coast of Vancouver Island has no internet service so will be back on line when I return.  Get out there and enjoy the Alpine.

Mt Currie makes for a spectacular backdrop.

Launch in the Upper Mackenzie Basin.

Bucks on Blackcomb, not much Avalanche news these days, even the southern hemisphere is experiencing less than favourable conditions. Appears to be snowing where its not supposed to.

Very rare occurrence in South Africa: Its Snowing

Biggest Avalanches in the solar system: I09

Backcountry access at Las Lenas requires a waiver and watching this video, would be nice to do this in parts of North America: No go unless you watch the video

Another reminder of the 2012 ISSW in Alaska: Register before August 14TH

Red Bulls new mountain bike trailer: Big Lines

Landing before the storm hits. Monday August 6 Th.

View from my house Tuesday Night, that was a very big storm for this area. Whistler Blackcomb getting hit at the same time. 

Canadian National Paragliding Championship, launch in Pemberton, BC

Thanks to Aaron Tasker for sending information on avalanche in New Zealand.

Mt Ruapehu Avalanche: You Tube

News article Mt Ruapehu: August 5, 2012

Photos from Mt Ruapehu: Ski Field

Lightning strikes three mountaineers at Mont Blanc: Lightning

On going recovery on Siachen Glacier: Kashmir

From the Netherlands: Prince Johan Friso

A different twist on dealing with climate change: France

Not much avalanche activity these days but there is a lot of wildlife around. Hiking trails are in great shape.

Skiing in New Zealand: Treble Cone Area

American Avalanche Association: Memorial List

Snow and Avalanche Lab: Montana State University

CAC looking for Assistant Avalanche Field Technician: Employment Opportunity

From Stanford University, on line Avalanche Training, Masters Project from 2006: Mind the Avalanche

New study from Denmark: Greenland



New hiking trail on Whistler opening today, Spearhead Walk is a short pleasant trail with some great views. The alpine flowers are in full bloom, great time to get up in the alpine and head out into the meadows.

Spearhead Walk with great views into the Fitzsimmons Valley.

Great hike to take in the flora and fauna.

Any guesses where this photo is taken from? We do live in an amazing place!

Long range forecast looks good, hiking trails around Whistler are in great shape!

Using tree rings in Avalanche Forecasting: Colorado

Short but great article from Ed La Chapelle: The Ascending Spiral

Next winters predictions have already started: From Joe Bastardi

Avalanche victim family suing Vail resorts: Not about the money

Mushroom shaped cumulus cloud.  

Have not seen many Pine Grosbeaks around the Whistler area, this picture was taken near the Crystal Hut on Blackcomb in June. 

Information on the Pine Grosbeak: Pine Grosbeak