Spent the last two days at Parkers Ridge. No new avalanche activity and great
ski conditions. The snowpack has set up great, with easy trail breaking and a
nice uniform supportive mid-pack on the descent. Even the alpine offered
relatively uniform and friendly ski quality.
It was quite windy today, and conditions are changing with warm temperatures.
Reports of rain to 2300m in the Maligne Lake area, and it was raining from
Sunwapta to Jasper on the highway this evening.
Moderate slope test results down 40 cm and 70 cm on a steep lee alpine feature.
Slabs are forming, and the cornices were showing some growth over the past two
days. Mixed N and SW winds with lots of strong gusts today (reverse and cross
loading).
The Nov 7 rain crust is down about a metre (mid-pack), and was not reactive in
the slope testing.
The warm weather isn't helping the ice. The Weeping Wall is in thin and mixed
conditions (there were a couple parties there today to try Mixed Master and
some other mixed climbs). One party on the 'Stage' beside Curtain Call.
Questionable weather that is a good place to hang out with that much wind
loading happening. Another party parked for Shades of Beauty area. Everything
looks early season thin and white. Tangle Falls has lots of water flowing and
it's hard to find a spot to even ice boulder.
In short, the skiing is better than the climbing!
Jordy Shepherd
Mountain Guide
|