[MCR] Mt athabasca, N glacier normal route -avalanche-

Subject: [MCR] Mt athabasca, N glacier normal route -avalanche-
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:07:13 -0600
Size 2 natural slab avalanche occurred some time today on the Mt Athabasca
normal route ramp. See picture. Winds blowing in crown as picture taken and
weather  limited visibility all day. 1400hrs when weather lifted and slide
was noticed by Parks Canada staff. Estimate 80/100cm crown, ~300m wide and
~300 long. In the picture, you can see the fracture line at the top end of
the ramp, just above the shadow line. Note: winds were reloading the ramp
quickly and the top right exit of the ramp had not slid so good idea to be
cautious until this local slab condition has had time to settle.  One may
assume that what did not slide, or is quickly reloaded with winds, is
highly suspect at least for the short term.

20cm + new snow yesterday at this elevation with more last night. Winds
depositing the new snow into a slab along the ramp pocket. A similar slide
happened July 7th, 2005 in same spot where it caught 2 climbers. One was
injured but survived the trip.

Be safe.
                                                                           
 Garth Lemke                                                               
 Public Safety Warden                                                      
 ACMG Assistant Ski Guide                                                  
                                                                           
 Garde de parc, Sécurité publique                                          
 Guide de ski auxiliaire, Association des guides de montagne canadiens     
                                                                           
 Jasper National Park of Canada | Parc national du Canada Jasper           
 Parks Canada | Parcs Canada                                               
 P.O. Box 10, Jasper AB  T0E 1E0 | C.P. 10, Jasper (Alberta)  T0E 1E0      
 Garth.Lemke@xxxxxxxx                                                      
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 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada                             
 www.pc.gc.ca/jasper                                                       
                                                                           
                                                                           
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 (See attached file: slide on athabasca aug 28 002.jpg)

Attachment: slide on athabasca aug 28 002.jpg
Description: JPEG image

_______________________________________________
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