[MCR] Mt Patterson, Banff, May 7, 2012

Great spring skiing on Mt Patterson today with friends. Easy travel and excellent corn skiing.

We were able to keep our skis on for all but a few short sections in the trees along the Mistaya river and a few meters in the Delta Creek canyon. Easy to keep your boots dry on the river crossing.

Ski crampons were handy in several sections and will become more necessary in the next few days as the snow up high settles.

Some slightly wind affected powder above 2950m on the S aspects, transitioning to really good corn skiing below 2800m which continued to valley bottom. Snow carried well all the way to the car at 1330hrs.

Wet sluffs and rockfall out of steep solar aspects starting about 1130. Still a few thin lingering wind slabs above 2800m, but no other weaknesses observed in the snowpack.

Looks like a good week to get out and tick some ski mountaineering peaks off your list!

Cheers, Conrad Janzen
IFMGA Mountain Guide
Photos at www.facebook.com/banffmountainguides

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