Ranger Creek avalanche, Canadian Rockies, Front Ranges (Nov 12)
At 12 noon today (Nov 12), a size 1.5 avalanche was observed on a
southeast aspect across the drainage/bowl from the ice climb R&D
(right of Chalice and The Blade) located in Ranger Creek on Mt. Murray
in Kananaski Country. The crown was right on the ridge crest at
approximately 2500m and the debris funneled through gullies and over
cliffs to deposit in the creek drainage at approximately 2250m. The
starting zone was in the sun, but I suspect the primary trigger was
the moderate winds that were gusting all morning. The avalanche was
not near the ice routes, but the debris was close to the approach to
the upper climbs. No people were involved.
I have climbed at Ranger Creek for the past three days straight and it
appears that the thin snowpack is gradually deteriorating due to the
bits of accumulated new snow compounded by the wind transport at
ridgetop. The window for ice climbing at Ranger Creek is drawing to a
close.
Sean Isaac
ACMG Alpine Guide
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