With
all the negative factors affecting the Rockies’
snow pack right now (lots of recent new snow with strong winds, day-time
warming with intense radiation, buried surface hoar layer lingering) decision making
for day trips isn’t all that easy right now. Yesterday, I decided for a
day trip to Mount
Gordon along the Wapta
Icefield.
Snow
coverage on the approach to Bow Hut is good, including the Canyon. Cold temps especially
in the morning (-14C at Bow Lake at 8AM) and about 40-50cm of settled new snow on
the glacier made for ski penetration of roughly 10cm – 15 cm. There is
evidence of intense wind transport from previous days, predominantly from south/westerly
directions, which continued throughout the day along the ridgelines yesterday. Lots
of really fat looking wind pillows lingering on slopes close to ridge lines.
Also,
there have been a good number of recent avalanches, the largest (probably size
2.5 / 3) we saw was on Balfour Glacier. The start zone is in relatively low
angle terrain on the glacier climber’s left (south) of the lower ramp
commonly used to get to Balfour High Col and it ran into the Hector Lake
approach to the Scott Duncan Hut. I suspect the slide was caused by the recent
wind loading, possibly combined with the surface hoar layer prevalent on
northern aspects in higher elevations along the Wapta Icefields. This surface
hoar layer is currently buried 40 – 60cm deep and with wind-stiffened
slabs above, many slopes could be prime candidates for skier triggering.
Enjoy
the sunshine and stay safe!
Jorg
Wilz
Mountain
Guide (IFMGA / UIAGM)
www.ontopmountaineering.com
1-800 506 7177 or (001) 403 678
2717