After consistent, deep snowfalls in December and early January the storms eased off. Many areas in the Monashees experienced a series of “rime crusts” — what happens when your goggles get an ice layer.
This weather phenomenon is a result of warm air overlying cold air, causing humidity from the air to form a crust layer on the surface. More recently, warm clear days with periods of fog have formed an extensive layer of surface hoar that have combined with the sun crust buried on February 12. This weak layer needs to be treated with caution as snowfalls add load.
Lack of releasability is a major safety concern for backcountry snowboarding as the snowboard becomes an anchor if you’re caught in an avalanche or stuck in a treewell. Improvements in splitboard technology have resulted in lighter, stronger, and safer gear making it easier to access the amazing Monashees terrain on a snowboard.
Many splitboarders have switched to a hard boot setup using Dynafit toe pieces for climbing and a bail system for descending. It’s a much more efficient system with improved safety. Check out Phantom splitboard bindings.
To speak to this growing group of backcountry splitboarders Sol Mountain is hosting its first Monashee Splitboard Fest from March 31 to April 5.
Safe backcountry terrain skills will be addressed by experienced ACMG guides, and pros will give tips on gear and techniques. AST (Avalanche Skills Training) 1 or 2 courses will be offered during the festival, and Splitboard HQ from Calgary, Alta., and Attridge from Vernon, B.C. will be on site with swag and demos from Prior, Trapper, and BCA.
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