Quartz Creek Avalanche Danger??

[petersjj]

Hey guys. I've never been to Quartz but me a couple buddies are heading there next weekend and the recent avalanche deaths has us kind of spooked and want to hear about your experiences with the area and how likely we are to get into trouble.

We've been renting sleds once a year for the past couple years and done mainly trail riding in central Alberta but this year are heading to the mountains and just want to make sure we aren't likely going to get in over our head once we get out there. I read on the Golden Snowmobile Club that ... it is the premier riding area for the Golden Snowmobile club as it have everything from family to experienced rider appeal and then in the next sentence watch of avalanche hazards on the Prairie Hills part of Quartz.

Let me know your experiences, how safe it might be now and in the next couple weeks if they get more snow.

Thanks,
jp

 

[x-guy]

although I do not know that exact spot your talking about, I know BC and washington have a weak snow layer known as the "Dec 13th layer" so no matter where you go riding in BC right now, you have to watch yourself, stay smart and stay alive. There is high danger in BC/Washington right now in general with the fluctuating temps and huge snow dumps in December, so just don't take any chances, and ask around, the locals will know best, if in doubt, don't chance it, way too many avy death threads on here and I would hate to read about anymore. Stay safe out there people.

 

[SylvanLaker]

The Golden area is beautifull but is prone to avalanches, keep your eyes up, wear a beacon, and one at a time climbing and going through passes..

 

[barefooter]

Who are you renting from? In Golden I would suggest Mike Palumbo at Snowpeak Rentals - give him a call - 250-344-8385. Pay for a day with him guiding or maybe he can arrange someone else to guide to keep you out of the avy areas.

Quartz is not too bad - you can have a pretty good time around there keeping out if the av-prone areas.

If you are really worried - another 3 hours and you are in Sicamous. Blue Lake, Salmon Arm and Hunters Range can all give you the "mountain" experience without the av worry. Even the trail system at Vernon is epic with all this snow - and there are some great cut-blocks around there to play in. For rental - phone Rene at Eagle Valley Lodge 250-836-2860 I think

 

[buck50]

of all the places around golden, quartz is one of the best in terms of avy's. pretty safe there, at least as safe as you can be and still be in the mountains at all

 

[CHABA]

yup,golden is always risky but awesome!

 

[Pit Crew]

not good info

Who are you renting from? In Golden I would suggest Mike Palumbo at Snowpeak Rentals - give him a call - 250-344-8385. Pay for a day with him guiding or maybe he can arrange someone else to guide to keep you out of the avy areas.

Quartz is not too bad - you can have a pretty good time around there keeping out if the av-prone areas.

If you are really worried - another 3 hours and you are in Sicamous. Blue Lake, Salmon Arm and Hunters Range can all give you the "mountain" experience without the av worry. Even the trail system at Vernon is epic with all this snow - and there are some great cut-blocks around there to play in. For rental - phone Rene at Eagle Valley Lodge 250-836-2860 I think

CUT BLOCKS DO NOT OFFER PROTECTION FROM AVYS

this is bad info, any hill over about 27 degrees can and will slide, and there are no avys in the Sicamous/Salmon Arm/Vernon areas?..........come on!!!!!!!

Smarten the F $* k up

 

[TIM]

we set a small one off there last year. Pretty easy to out run, so yea you do have to be careful.

tim

 

[powder puff]

You guys should be checking out this tool on the CAA site called the avulator.
http://www.avalanche.ca/avaluator/Default.aspx
You are able to pick the general location, the sport and then most riding areas to check the risks. Golden is South Columbia. Revelstoke, Valemount are North Columbia.
I thought it was a good tool for reference.
It is a Dec. 5 crust they are talking about. I`m no avy guru but did take an avy class Sun.-Mon. and saw exactly what they are talking about. This crust was very visable, it was when it rained in the beginning of Dec. and it rained and warmed up everywhere!
The CAA is asking for reports from snowmobilers of avy`s or signs to enhance the reports.

 

[GoldenRider1]

Guide

If you are going to rent sleds in Golden pay the extra few bucks and get a guide for the day. Rocky Mountain Riders, Snow Peak Rentals, and Golden Snowmobile Rentals all offer this service, and each of those companies have lots of experience and snow knowledge. Will make your trip much more enjoyable when everyone lives through it. And yah, things are pretty sketch out there right now, lots of skier triggered avalanches around Kicking Horse in the last two weeks, a sled is a much bigger trigger, everyone be smart out there.

nate

 

[portgrinder]

Don't know where you guys are riding in Quartz but at most times you arent too far away from a hill that could slide. Out of everywhere I've rode, I'de say its one of the more sketchy areas especially if you don't know where you are going.

 

[Grizz]

Me and a buddy got buried at Quartz in 2004. seemed like an innocent hill at the time. Got out.........lucky. Do yourselves a favour and make sure you KNOW how to use your avy gear because your buddies won't have time to wait until you figure it out!! If your green, get a guide. BE SAFE EVERYONE! ...........................Craig.

 

[barefooter]

CUT BLOCKS DO NOT OFFER PROTECTION FROM AVYS

this is bad info, any hill over about 27 degrees can and will slide, and there are no avys in the Sicamous/Salmon Arm/Vernon areas?..........come on!!!!!!!

Smarten the F $* k up

You know - I hate forums. Simple politeness in this society has gone the way of the dinasours.

All I was attempting to convey that there are places in Sicamous/Hunters range that have less avalanche danger than Quartz. I guess I should have said "less avy worry" than "no avy worry" - as an example, the current slide at Big White. You may also note that I suggested these guys get a guide to reduce the hazard they may encounter. According to you - I likely should have wrote a dissertation on how to avoid avalanches, what equipment to carry, etc. etc. etc

Yes - a cutblock will slide. I apoligize I neglected to mention that. Maybe I should have included a link to a PowerPoint presentation on "Avalanche Awareness and How to Prepare for a Mountain Trip". However - that was not the question this gentleman raised. All I was attempting to do was quickly point out that there are areas a little father west where the avalanche hazards may be less and given current snowpack conditions, you can have a rewarding "sub-alpine" experience (where you will at least have to admit that the avalanche danger is somewhat less than the current "alpine" conditions).

I know that with the large number of (unfortunate and tragic) avalanche deaths that have occurred that this topic can be emotional for some people. At least you can have the courtesy to be a little polite in your response instead of resorting to profanity.

 

[slsguy]

You guys should be checking out this tool on the CAA site called the avulator.
http://www.avalanche.ca/avaluator/Default.aspx
You are able to pick the general location, the sport and then most riding areas to check the risks. Golden is South Columbia. Revelstoke, Valemount are North Columbia.
I thought it was a good tool for reference.
It is a Dec. 5 crust they are talking about. I`m no avy guru but did take an avy class Sun.-Mon. and saw exactly what they are talking about. This crust was very visable, it was when it rained in the beginning of Dec. and it rained and warmed up everywhere!
The CAA is asking for reports from snowmobilers of avy`s or signs to enhance the reports.

Thanks PP, that is a great tool I have never seen before.....

 

[GoldenRider1]

The CAA is asking for reports from snowmobilers of avy`s or signs to enhance the reports.

For sure - if any of you sledders ride often (every weekend, or every second weekend or whatever), are interested in snow science and helping to provide safety for others, and can spend 1/2 an hour or so each time to ride to look at the snow conditions, dig a pit, make notes of slide activity etc., you should contact the CAA and become a field correspondent for them. I am sure it doesn't pay, but like I said above, if you are interested in providing safety for others. This would be a way for the CAA to better report conditions at exact areas like Quartz, Silent, etc. Instead of having those reports fall under the regional umbrella.

Nate

 

[mac900rmk]

The Avaluator is awesome. Especially since it allows you to select very specific areas of Quartz and Silent and Gorman and not just the general area. Take an avy course, it's an eye opener for terrain and how your equipment works or may not work.
I have to get a real shovel with a longer reach and get rid of the short conveniently fits in my backpack shovel I have now.

The good thing is someone is asking questions and not just going out and riding to find out.

 

[Pit Crew]

"Yes - a cutblock will slide. I apoligize I neglected to mention that. Maybe I should have included a link to a PowerPoint presentation on "Avalanche Awareness and How to Prepare for a Mountain Trip". However - that was not the question this gentleman raised. All I was attempting to do was quickly point out that there are areas a little father west where the avalanche hazards may be less and given current snowpack conditions, you can have a rewarding "sub-alpine" experience (where you will at least have to admit that the avalanche danger is somewhat less than the current "alpine" conditions)."

There is info in the above paragraph that is useful, the whole "sub-alpine" aspect definately needed to be mentioned however.

You were replying to someone who had indicated very limited mountain experience ................pretend you know nothing and re-read your post, it sounds like "go a little further west and everythings cool", if in-experienced guys are looking for Avy advice my first instinct is to put a little fear in them, I dont think that will ever serve any one badly.
I never apologize for "resorting to profanity", sheesh I'd be apologizing all day.

BTW I give you a "9.4" for the Sarcasm level.

 

[Pit Crew]

On second thought, Sub-Alpine, technically meaning below tree line (7-8000") is till not great advice.

 

[x-guy]

how about we call em vertically challenged areas but I think most of us know what hes talking about, around this time if you wanna avoid the avy danger the best you can, stick to the natural flat meadows, and just enjoy the powder, I think hunters range has alot of this type of riding if I remember correct? Just stay clear of the hills right now if your not at the very least experienced with avalanche terrain and how to identify it, but heck your not 100% safe anywhere, I got buried last year checking out a jump and fell through the cornice, which then gave away and buried me, so don't fool yourself into a false sense of secutiry no matter where you are riding.

 

[huntinggr81]

Quit crying barefooter. You f*****d up on your first post.