[MCR] Rockies, Wapta

Subject: [MCR] Rockies, Wapta
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:27:54 -0600
I guided a ski traverse on the Wapta April 18-21. Great snow coverage from the 
car all the way into the high country. We made our attempt to cross the Balfour 
High Col on April 20th. The best coverage in Balfour Col that I can remember 
seeing -no need to ski over, or around, rocks or pebble studded plaster 
sidewalks of boilerplate (more common in previous years). I tried to thread the 
needle through the massive crevasses on the glacier ramp to keep a serac eater 
on our uphill side, but got stymied by cross crevasses. We backtracked out of 
the maze and went around skier's right of all of the crevasses (I recommend 
doing that). We turned tail soon after in worsening weather that sent us on a 
long tramp through the white-out and wind back to Bow Hut. 15-20 cms of light 
dry new snow fell that day and night and when the 21st dawned sunny the skiing 
was mighty fine, dry above 7500 feet, but getting spongy on steeper solar 
aspects below that, yet still great to ski.

My last trip of the season,
happy trails,

Barry Blanchard
UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide
http://www.barryblanchard.ca
http://www.yamnuska.com
barryb3@xxxxxxxxx
1 403 609 4615
cell 1 403 609 1321

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