[MCR] Whistler Creek, jasper

Subject: [MCR] Whistler Creek, jasper
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 09:31:10 -0700
Up Whistler Creek yesterday with RAC course. (Maligne Road closed) Still generally shallow 20-30 at 5700ft in the trees. No signs of wind since before storm which gave about 20cm. Creek bed shallow and rocky but skiable (good trail now!) Watch for open water, rocky and quite a bit of new deadfall in the creek.
No signs of any recent activity on N aspects of marmot or S/E on Indian ridge.
Did a test profile at 2050m, NE aspect, 65cm, first open roll near treeline. Found Pencil to knife windslab down 20cm (yellow stained from wind) It is about 5 cm thick. We were getting CT8 just below this in facets, and a CT20 at 53cm, just above the old MF layer close to ground, which is quickly deteriorating
We had a RB score of 3 on the same interface down 20cm.
Travel not great, very willowy to tree line. expect better travel in alpine but suspect instabilities on old wind loaded features.
Caution certainly advised.
Still marginal skiing below 2000m, barely threshold except where wind loaded.
The alders and willows continue to grow....

Peter

Alpine: suspect fair to poor
treeline: fair
Below treeline: threshold/fair


Peter Amann
Mountain Guiding
Box 1495, Jasper AB, T0E 1E0
www.incentre.net/pamann
pamann@xxxxxxxxxxxx