[MCR] Wapta

Hi.

 

Spent 6 days in the Wapta last week.

 

The way up and down to the Bow hut is in the best condition I have ever seen at this time of year. The thaw last week has left a supportive crust covered by 20cm's - 30cm's of light snow and meant we could ski all the way out on Sunday.

 

The snow on the glacier is a different story with very thin snow bridges and crevasses in places I have not seen before. Namely, in a direct line from where you access the glacier (from the Bow hut) to the ring contour feature (MGR 346 210) aka Onion (see attached photo). These holes are quite large and difficult to see from above.

Another area I didn't expect to see big slots was about 500m SSE south of the toe of Mt Thompson (MGR 327 217 approx), a benign looking part of the glacier. Unfortunately these holes are on the same line you might use if you had to 'white out navigate' from the Peyto to the Bow hut as we did.

 

Depth of snow on the glacier varied from 80cm to 120cm. The main exception to this was on the popular ski slopes below St Nicholas where the wind has prevented much accumulation and the snow here was only 60cm thick with ice still showing through and plenty of crevasses.

 

Although the ski conditions were good great care should be taken on the glacier as the snow cover is still very thin. 

 

Cheers.

 

Steve Blagbrough. BMG.

Yamnuska Guide

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