[MCR] Rockies: Twin Cairns, Observation Peak

The Alpine Club's North Face Leadership Course has been touring in the Rockies near Sunshine and north of Lake Louise in the last few days. Here are a few of our observations:

January 26 (Tuesday) Twin Cairns – via Healy Creek to Sunshine
Healy Creek Trail well packed as expected. Typical snow depth once we started breaking trail in the 1 meter range. Ski penetration at and below treeline varied from 20 to 40 cm. Snowpack Treeline and below was generally faceted although somewhat supportive in flatter terrain. In open areas at and above treeline wind affect varied from soft to hard slabs. Snow depth extremely variable where wind affected. Cracking, whumpfing and hollow sounds noted on N and E aspects in open areas circa 15:30. Group turned before completing the final 200m of ascent in low visibility due to snowpack concerns and ski quality issues (crap!) Great shred down the groomers at Sunshine to the ski out. (Thanks Sunshine!!!)

January 27 (Wednesday) - Natural avalanche observed above Bow Summit  size 1.5 / suspect slab / 2600m / E aspect. Natural avalanche observed on Observation Peak (not previously reported) Size 1.5 / suspect slab / SW asp in extreme terrain / 2700 or 2800m / stop in middle of track above treeline.

January 28 (Thursday) - Icefields Parkway - driving toward Parker Ridge we encountered rain north of Bow Summit at an elevation of below 1800m. Driving conditions quite icy. Abandoned plans at Saskatchewan Crossing and went back to Bow Summit area.

January 28 (Thursday)- Observation Peak – Snowing at 1 to 2 cm per hour most of the day. Visibility was variable. Anticipated winds did not really materialize except for a brief period of light with occasional moderate gusts. Snow accumulation during the day was 10 – 15 cm. Travel below treeline was fair with ski penetration of 30 – 40 cm. Once again height of snow was in the 85 cm range down low and up to 120cm in wind affected areas in the open near 2500m on a West aspect. Once above treeline snow distribution was variable. Group did numerous compression and extended column tests at 2500m with variable results... Extended column tests produced fractures with no propagation down 15 – 25cm in the first 10 to 20 taps. Compression tests produced both resistant and sudden planar failures in the same range. One anomalous result occurred in a Shovel Test moderate down 65cm on Surface Hoar size 2 – 3mm. This was a very clean sudden shear. We did not venture on to open slopes exposed to overhead hazard in the alpine. Good ski quality with the new snow. Ski penetration occasionally “punchy” as your tails dipped into the weak facets. Used terrain conservatively skiing treeline features and below up to 25 degrees.

Cyril Shokoples MG
Matt Reynolds MG
ACC TNF Crew: J St-Pierre, F. Mulvenna, J. MacDonald, G. Miller, N. Steiner, Manouane, W. Strong, A. Revill, H. Davidson, S. Lambert









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