[MCR] Southern Wapta Traverse

Three of us from Parks Canada skied across the southern Wapta Traverse this week, going through the Balfour High Col and onward to Scott Duncan Hut on Wednesday (18th), and out via Sherbrooke Lake on Thursday (19th). We had a bluebird morning through the High Col, and onward to the SD Hut; white and grim from SD Hut to the road the next day.

Snow depth on the glaciers is less than usual for this time of year, ranging from 180-250 cm, but for the most part the crevasses on the standard route are well filled in, and presented no problems to cross. However, as usual through the Balfour High Col, there are lots of hazards around. Through the crux sections we were weaving through several crevasse bands, often coming within a few meters of the edge, and undoubtedly on snow bridges.

We observed one fresh windslab at the head of Waves Creek, which looked to be about 50-70 cm deep and maybe 50 m wide. This was on a predictable, leeward convex roll in the middle of a windy pass. However we twice bailed from our objective due to lingering concerns about windslabs. Although we did not see many, the cumulative effects of a few weeks of minor snowfalls, winds, and isolated windslab avalanches kept us off these features in the alpine.

The trip down through Sherbrooke Lake was breakable crust from 2000 m down, supportive crust across the lake, and an icy luge run down to Wapta Lodge.

Attached is a photo of the Balfour High Col, along with Google Earth and GPS files of our track logs on the 18th. 

Grant Statham

ACMG Mountain Guide

Parks Canada Visitor Safety

Balfour Glacier 17Mar15.JPG
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Balfour Hut to Balfour High Col 18Mar15.kmz
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Balfour Hut to Balfour High Col 18Mar15.gpx
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Balfour High Col to Scott Duncan Hut 18Mar15.kmz
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Balfour High Col to Scott Duncan Hut 18Mar15.gpx
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