First nice warm day in Jasper area in a week. Didn't wear my down jacket
once! Got warm enough that I wished I wasn't wearing my long johns...
Noted two more slab avalanches from a distance likely from the last 48
hours. One was half way up the N face of Mt. Edith Cavell that looked like a
doozy (too far away to reliably estimate size). The other was a Size 2 slab
avalanche on a NE aspect on Cinquefoil Mtn in the eastern part of the park
beginning a couple hundred meters below the ridge line in steep terrain on
an unsupported slope.
Finally got out to Hidden Valley today and managed to check out the rock
climbing and snow here. Lots of snow still hanging in at the bottom of the
routes making things muddy to start. Shady areas still had lots of snow when
we left today. First Wall is dry. The beginners and Intermediate Slabs are
dry. A lot of the main south wall is dry with a few snow patches like at the
belay stance on top of the first pitch of Bullethead Buttress. The Slab
Emporium is likely dry.
The Dark Side is snowy from top to bottom. The Back Wall / Latin Wall near
Crescent Crack was still running water from a snow patch above it. I heard
some spontaneous rockfall in that area from over on Old Salt. Also noted a
lot more loose rock on top of ledges than I am used to seeing, likely as a
result of the recent snow which is unusual in Hidden Valley. Wear your
helmet even on the sport climbs here as there is a lot of junk hanging above
your head.
Nearby June Wall was entirely dry when we drove by in the afternoon.
Anything alpine in the eastern part of the park is still very snowy but
today's sun has driven the snow line higher on S aspects. The usual
scrambles would still be in crappy shape. The ledges on the SW face of Morro
are still sporting some snow but a lot less than yesterday.
Forecast should see things drying out more during the next few days.
Cyril Shokoples MG
Rescue Dynamics
5109 - 17A Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA T6L 1K5
http://www.rescuedynamics.ca
http://www.rescuedynamics.com
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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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