Hey all,
Just a few quick observations from a couple days touring on the Icefields
Parkway the last couple days.
Spent the 21st doing laps in the Crowfoot Glades area. Ski quality was great
and the area hadn't seen much traffic recently, had the whole place to
ourselves.
We saw multiple cornice failures throughout the day coming off the big head
wall above the glades. Likely triggered by the heavy sun affect. The cornices
released three slabs on the east face below up to sz. 1.5. But despite all that
mass hammering into the slopes below, we didnt see any avalanches produced as a
result on the slopes below.
In a pit at 7300ft in an open north facing feature just above treeline,
stability tests gave moderate, resistant results, down 40cm's on a windslab
interface, and the valentines surface hoar was down an average of 110cm's
producing hard but sudden results.
Despite the makings of a good bridge over the Valentines Day surface hoar, we
were really careful not to be flirting with anything that looked like thinner
snowpack areas (where it would be easier to trigger). With the layer only being
buried down a meter or so, doesnt seem like there's much room to be wrong right
now, and the consequences would no doubt really ruin your day.
On the 22nd we were up the south end of Cirque Peak to the Helen Shoulder
Glades. Two big obvious crusts on that west aspect to deal with right now. The
shallower of the two down 15cms right now, gave no results in tests, but with a
bit of wind that could change quickly. The deeper of the two was down on
average, 70cms, and has faceted out the snowpack below it. Hard, sudden results
in the tests, but when it failed it was on the ground. Again, seemed like a
decent idea to stay well away from shallow areas.
On the east side of the ridge, just below ridgecrest the surface hoar was
electric. Easy, sudden results in all tests down 70cms on the Valentines Day
surface hoar
In terms of ski quality it was actually pretty good on the west aspects. The
suncrust down 15cms really only jumped out at you when the terrain tipped up
steeper than 35 degrees.
Play safe out there!
Mike Trehearne
ACMG Alpine Guide & Assistant Ski Guide
mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.yamnuska.com
_______________________________________________
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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