Subject: | [MCR] Wapta Feb 12-15 |
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Date: | Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:53:50 -0700 |
Did the Wapta
Traverse from Bow Lake to West Louise Lodge Feb 12-15.
Travel conditions
were good, with ski penetration of about 15 cm. Snow cover on the glacier
averaged 225 cm, although some of the more exposed areas had as little as 140
cm.
We found the Feb 9
surface hoar layer on all aspects. This layer was down 15 cm and was giving easy
moderate compression test results (CTM 11). The Jan 25 layer was down 35 cm and
was giving hard moderate test results (CTM 18).
By Feb 14, there was
windslab forming in the alpine and we experienced shooting cracks on a 30 degree
west aspect at 2800 meters. The east face of Mt Niles had not slid as of Feb 15
and had received enough wind effect to pose a significant threat. We avoided
traversing that slope by descending low angle terrain into the drainage below
the face and then putting in an up-track through the moraines a few hundred
meters further south.
The creek south of
Mt Niles had some open water, but travel down to Sherbrooke Lake was generally
quite straight-forward.
Grant
Meekins
Alpine Guide,
Assistant Ski Guide
_______________________________________________ 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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