Mount Hector

Submitted by
Kylee Toth
Observations date
Monday, March 27, 2023 at 02:00
Location
51.579010° N 116.257890° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Mount Hector

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Hard
  • Powder
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Mellow slopes
  • Sunny slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
  • Sunny

Comments

I often go up Hector at this time of year to take a look and ski. This is the most rugged conditions I’ve seen it in from lack of snow. A summit is possible but from a strict skiing perspective not the most pleasant, more of a mountaineering objective at the moment. The permanent ice toward the summit may come in to condition later this year with the right precip and weather cycles but it’s anyone’s guess at this point. I’d recommend full glacier gear, steel crampons, perhaps a few pieces of gear if you want to gain the summit and an axe or two for this one at the moment.
Approach to the headwall about 6cm of fresh snow in the lower glacier was easy skinning and skied well
Approach to the headwall about 6cm of fresh snow in the lower glacier was easy skinning and skied well
Bony coverage to gain the glacier but skin-able after the waterfall bootpack
Bony coverage to gain the glacier but skin-able after the waterfall bootpack
The canyon/waterfall on the approach is unskiable for most people. It was sporty. Crampons optional depending on your comfort level. Okay boot steps.
The canyon/waterfall on the approach is unskiable for most people. It was sporty. Crampons optional depending on your comfort level. Okay boot steps.
Avy debris and lack of snow make the waterfall section “rugged”
Avy debris and lack of snow make the waterfall section “rugged”
More holes then I have seen on Hector previously even on the uphill skiers right side which is the way I usually go. We weaved a track through and found the bridging fine but it’s not straightforward
More holes then I have seen on Hector previously even on the uphill skiers right side which is the way I usually go. We weaved a track through and found the bridging fine but it’s not straightforward
We backed off the upper half of the headwall. It looks snow covered from here but it was dust on ice in reality. It is possible to get up but it isn’t a casual ski tour and you likely need good crampons and a couple axes.
We backed off the upper half of the headwall. It looks snow covered from here but it was dust on ice in reality. It is possible to get up but it isn’t a casual ski tour and you likely need good crampons and a couple axes.