Help requested judging when the HSCT is going to melt out this year
Hello all,
I want to do the Howe Sound Crest Trail as soon as possible this season without snow added risk. This season is well advanced in terms of our north shore mountains melting out.. I've been using Copernicus browser and it seems like it's well on it's way.
I was wondering what other resources I could be using? A particular facebook group for trip reports?
Based off the peakbaggers the snow level seems to be around 1200m? I could use some more advice, especially if I need to be considering more than just having the snow melted off.
Thanks for the help!
I want to do the Howe Sound Crest Trail as soon as possible this season without snow added risk. This season is well advanced in terms of our north shore mountains melting out.. I've been using Copernicus browser and it seems like it's well on it's way.
I was wondering what other resources I could be using? A particular facebook group for trip reports?
Based off the peakbaggers the snow level seems to be around 1200m? I could use some more advice, especially if I need to be considering more than just having the snow melted off.
Thanks for the help!
I often wonder if visible snow on the West Lion, Burwell or Capilano Mountain are a gauge. There is still a lot of snow up there: Deeks Peak had the snow line at 1400m, which meant no snow to suddenly lots of snow. There were a few late season storms that added a few cms. At any rate, simply looking at the mountains might be a useful gauge. That's my 2 bits.
Some resources I've been using:
- Gaia GPS "Recent Sat" layer - not always currently up to date (currently it shows tiles from May 31st) and it's too low resolution to a get detailed view of the route, but gives a good overhead view of the current snowpack. I have a feeling they are just using data from Copernicus or Landsat
- "SWBC Peakbagger's" FB group (or similar, like "Bagger Challenge")
- https://getgranite.co/community - it is still a bit quiet but a handful of trip reports for north shore mountain's recently (including mine!)
I summited Deeks and Oban 3 weeks ago, and like Shannon said there was a good amount of snow above the Deeks-Windsor col. I also summited Mount Harvey last week and it was bone dry via the SW ridge, however I believe this weekend's rain brought fresh snow at higher elevations.
Personally I'm holding off till early July to do the HSCT but mainly as I'd like to tag on West Lion and Hanover in drier conditions.
Shannon and Raviraina thanks a lot for the feedback. I appreciate it
I did the HSCT in a day on Monday 15th June. It's pretty much snow free except for a couple of patches in the notch between the Lions, and on the scree slope/boulder field descent from Thomas Peak towards James Peak. Snow was soft with some minor care required to prevent post holing into very uneven ground below but otherwise the trail is in fantastic early season condition. The 2 main snow sections remaining are really short, you won't be on them for much more than a couple of minutes travelling time. The snow patch which remains in the notch between the Lions I would recommend a pair of spikes for. It has quite the banked angle on it, but stepped out enough that there's very little chance of you sliding if you are cautious.
Plenty of water refill points from Magnesia Meadows onwards which don't involve the need to take stagnant, scummy water from a tarn. There's a couple of really nice fast flowing creeks.
If I was to stick my nose out, I'd say go and get it done while there are good water levels and it's not too hot out there. The snow genuinely isn't the problem right now, it's the bugs!! I think by early July it'll be a totally different ball game (although still a bit buggy). Having said that, this is based on my assumption of if you want to go fast and light and not add any extra summits. If you were to add additional summits such as Hanover or Brunswick, I'd hold off as snow persists on the more gentle aspects above 1400-1500m on the more Northerly summits.
Plenty of water refill points from Magnesia Meadows onwards which don't involve the need to take stagnant, scummy water from a tarn. There's a couple of really nice fast flowing creeks.
If I was to stick my nose out, I'd say go and get it done while there are good water levels and it's not too hot out there. The snow genuinely isn't the problem right now, it's the bugs!! I think by early July it'll be a totally different ball game (although still a bit buggy). Having said that, this is based on my assumption of if you want to go fast and light and not add any extra summits. If you were to add additional summits such as Hanover or Brunswick, I'd hold off as snow persists on the more gentle aspects above 1400-1500m on the more Northerly summits.