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ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued 09/01/2011
THIS PAST WEEK:
Overall the past 7 days had incredible conditions with mostly sunny skies some overnight freezing and dry summer conditions. The past 48 hours however have changed things up a bit with fresh rain and snow covering most of our region.
CURRENTLY:
Waking up to a snowline that dipped well below treeline in Canmore, it seemed apparent that the freezing level had dropped significantly overnight. Hello September! By the end of the day here in the front ranges, the snowline had crept back up to the alpine and most front range rock routes are almost dry again and ready to go.
In the Lake Louise/O Hara areas, approx 15-25cms of snow fell and settled in the upper elevations. Varying results from this storm snow was seen. The snow that fell seems to be settling fairly well due to the moisture, but ridgelines and other areas that experienced wind during the storm could be susceptible to small slab pockets. A 1.5 avalanche was witnessed on Lefroy. Although the new accumulation is settling well on solar aspects, one can expect wintery conditions up high again.
Little information from the Bugaboos and Rogers Pass has been heard. New snow on the summits near Golden would suggest that snow now covers the higher peaks in Rogers Pass as well. Second hand information reported 20cm of new snow in the Bugaboo area.
20cm and high winds in the Columbia Icefields created slab pockets in wind sheltered areas that were easily triggered by climbers. Point releases of size 1's were also witnessed. Areas such as the Ramp route on Athabasca would likely be a poor choice too soon after this storm, but steeper north faces where the storm snow sloughed off could be reasonable.
Snow fell to treeline in Jasper so likely the higher peaks there such as Edith Cavell will also have been affected by the storm
FORECAST:
Other then a potentially spotty night, the forecast ahead again looks like blue skies and lots of sun. Looks like more precipitation is expected in the icefields and Jasper areas with less closer to the front ranges and out towards Golden. Temps seem to be a little cooler then the past week, but this might fair well for longer overnight freezes. Most rock routes, especially ridges, should be good to go again by the weekend, although there still might be some small patches and some wetness from melting. Expect to still see the storm snow lingering at higher elevations and be wary of those pockets that have experienced wind. I imagine bigger objectives like Temple East Ridge, Sir Donald and Assiniboine will likely be out for a little bit again. Likely this new snow will have also done a good job of lightly hiding recently visible crevasses, so take care in the lower elevation areas on the glaciers. Obviously with new snow and sunny skies keep your heads up as melting can al
ways create overhead hazard. All in all a great weekend forecast ahead. Enjoy the mountains.
Sarah Hueniken
ACMG Alpine Guide
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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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_______________________________________________
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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