Report from dog crew who spent the last two days on the Athabasca Glacier
at the Icefields.
Torrential rains Oct 24 to 9000' have melted much of the lower elevation
snow. 20-25 cm moist snow on the toe of the Athabasca now covered by thin
crust and dry snow. Warm temps prior to the rain produced glide cracking
full depth (20-30cm entire snowpack) on Parker slabs. Snowboarder slope at
Parker's Ridge ran size 1: 50cm X 50M 10cm thick HN on a crust, but this
slope has now been rain hammered. Dry snow and wind drifting noted at upper
elevations on Oct 25.
Observations on slopes around Lake Louise and Sunshine show significant
decrease in snow depths post rain but the bowls are still filled in and
smooth on lee northerly features with approx 20-30cm average HS.
Brad White
Mountain Safety Programs Specialist
Mountain Guide
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These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
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