[MCR] Avalanche on Athabasca

Report from Mark Klassen guiding at the Columbia Icefields.

 

Large natural slab release today size 2 to 2.5 on the triangular east face of Mt. Athabasca.  This is the face visible from the Parker Ridge area.  It did not fail to the glacier ice but the failure layer would appear to be deeper than just recent storm snow.  It was solar triggered and happened around 10 or 11 AM today (Tuesday).  Mark thought (and I agree) that it is a reminder that we still have a lot of snow out there with the potential for large summer avalanches now that the temperatures are becoming more seasonal.

 

Marc Ledwidge

MG

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