On Friday Nov 18 at 1 pm on the approach to Icefall Lodge, I observed an
avalanche coming off the east face of Icefall Peak. This is in the western
Rockies about 15 km east of Mt Forbes. The fracture line was on an east aspect
at about 2900m. The avalanche ran full path reaching the valley bottom at
1000m, 1900m vertical! I didn't get a good look at the debris so it is hard to
speculate on the size of the avalanche but definitely big. There were strong
east winds at ridge top during the day on Friday. While this information is a
bit dated now and the winds calmed down for Saturday and Sunday, there is still
the potential for large avalanches running full path.
Snow depth at valley bottom (1000m) was 40 cm; at the lodge (1900m) 130 cm. No
other signs avalanches were observed. Temperatures were -12 to - 19.
Larry Dolecki
Mountain Guide
www.icefall.ca
_______________________________________________
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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