Subject: | [MCR] Athabasca |
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Date: | Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:48:11 -0600 |
Just back from a day full of beautiful weather at the Icefields: mainly sunny with clouds, and cool weather, 3C at the climber's parking lot at the Icefields at 5 am. Of note there has been a lot of snow accumulation up high from the past 2 days of stormy weather: up to 35cm of low density storm snow overlies up to 15 cm of unconsolidated 5mm graupel, on top of the previous surfaces (sloppy, wet grain summer snow). Travel was variable ranging from excellent below 2600m with trace accumulations of snow, to foot penetration of up to mid-calf above 2900m. Very easy hand shear results were found in the graupel interface below a soft slab (1 finger resistance) -- meaning as I cut the back wall the 35cm soft slab rolled off the graupel like they were ball bearings. That said, no cracking, whoompfing, or natural avalanche activity was observed today. It sure felt like winter there today. See photos attached. Regards, Tom Wolfe
AthabascaGlacierAug13.jpg
AthabascaNFaceAug13.jpg
AthabascaNGlacierAug13.jpg _______________________________________________ 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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