Spent a few days around peyto this week. Generally excellent
travel on glaciers. Snow is melting quick to say the least. Steeper
slope on glacier approach is almost all ice now (crampons required). Lots
of partially covered crevasses if you cut too early towards the hut, better to
swing wide for now. No good freezes, however radiational cooling yielded
good travel in the am.
Of Significant note was an avalanche that occurred
around 0800 on Friday the 13th. The avalanche was on the east
face of Mt Baker. It was a deep slab avalanche triggered by a falling
cornice. Elevation was about 10200’, and the slope a little over
40degrees. The slab was up to 120cm thick and about 40meters wide, it was
size 2.5. Warm overnight temperatures, as well as morning sun on that
aspect were major factors. Be mindfull of similar features where large
cornices loom above steep alpine slopes and faces. With the continued
heat, the presence of some large winter cornices, and a deep alpine snowpack,
this sort of avalanche can be expected to continue.
Jeff Honig MG
Jeff Honig
Mountain Guide
Alpine Addictions
Box 1106
Revelstoke BC
V0E2S0
(250)837-2215 (home)
(240)837-1333 (cell)
jeff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx