Drove from Exshaw to Jasper this afternoon. Here are some general
observations and a few specific peak comments. Remember these observations
were made at 90kmh and at a distance. Observations from Canmore were around
noon; Lake Louise around 3PM; Jasper around 7PM.
Exshaw at 6AM - Zero degrees and visible skiff of snow at the base of
Yamnuska. Snow down to below treeline in the area and temperature rather
slow to climb by noon. Yam and Goat drying off quickly in the steep terrain.
Canmore / Banff - many scrambles in the area look pretty plastered while
steeper sun-exposed rock terrain drying off nicely with wet streaks on some
faces. I would probably give the scrambles a day or two to get back in to
shape depending upon what the weather brings this weekend. Look above you
before committing to any rock routes. Melting snow may cause rockfall above
some routes.
Lady Mac & Grotto - scrambles look very snowy above treeline
Cascade & Rundle - scrambles look very snowy above treeline
Mt Louis - East face looks pretty dry from highway. Didn't see Kain route
Lake Louise area - looks like it got hit pretty hard up high by the snow.
Castle / Eisenhower - rock routes look pretty dry but summit looks snowy. A
few isolated snow patches on flat spots on routes. Backside looks plastered
above treeline.
Ski area - getting a good start on the ski season!
Temple - yikes - East ridge took a beating with what appears to be a pile of
new snow on the route. Likely set things back a week.
Hector - Lots of new snow here too.
Dolomite Peak - will take a few days to get back to dry.
Observation Peak - Lots of snow
Saskatchewan Crossing - seems to be a significant transition at about this
point as the snowline seems distinctly higher and amounts appear less the
farther north you travel toward Jasper. Some of this may be because of
daytime warming, but I think snowfall amounts were likely less north of here
as well.
Resolute / Cline area - about 300m above treeline the real damage seems to
start.
Columbia Icefields area - seems to have gotten less than Lake Louise but
evidence of new snow on the ice making things look white again. For example,
the bare rock that was exposed on the base of the Skyladder is now thinly
disguised with new snow, simply begging unsuspecting souls to come hither
and get hammered by rockfall as the snow melts away. Sluffing evident on
steep terrain but did not observe well enough to say how extensive or how
recent. Lots of wind evident up high as I drove by. Scrambles around the
Icefields seem little changed since last week.
Athabasca - new snow evident on the North glacier since last week but
amounts uncertain
Tangle Peak - still a go to get to the top, but some new up high.
Nigel - still has a lot of snow in the upper basin. Still too early in my
opinion.
Wilcox - still has patches as per last week.
Sunwapta - still a LOT of new and old snow lingering above treeline. Give it
a miss for now.
Jasper Area - decreasing snow as you get farther along but... Record low
temperatures early in the morning (zero).
Edith Cavell - still looks pretty early for the E ridge
Fryatt - still looks pretty snowy
Hardisty / Kerkeslin - still a frosting of snow on the rocks visible from
town.
Colin Range - looking dry as a bone with a smattering of new here and there
near the summit. Should be gone by tomorrow.
Skyline trail - still looks to have snow up high.
All in all it seems like a great weekend for rock climbing or lower
elevation trips to give the new fluff a chance to melt or settle out.
I hope this capsule summary gives you some idea of how the freak snow (or is
it freakin' snow) has affected things. Observe carefully and act accordingly
as you travel as things have changed a lot in the last day.
_______________________________________________
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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