[MCR] Rockies, Little Crowfoot Peak and Wapta Bow Hut to Sherbrooke Lake

I guided four guests up Little Crowfoot Peak (Summits & Icefields Map) on March 18th. Shockingly cold air temperatures in the parking lot, -20 C. We ascended the Ferris Glacier on the north side of the peak and it skied very nicely on the way down.

My fellow guide, Darcy Chilton, and I guided ten guests from Bow Hut across the Wapta to exit Shebrooke Lake March 19-22.

Bow Lake was well frozen mid morning of March 19th and the air temperature was much more pleasant.

Good coverage on the traverse to the Balfour Hut on March 20th with a 10 metre boot pack into the St Nic/Olive col. The Diableret Glacier skied incredibly well  that afternoon.

We had a white and windy day to cross Balfour High Col on March 21st. We chose to take the low route into the Nunatak and Hourglass. I backed out of the first slope we tried out of Balfour Col due to windslab concern in the blowing snow, I then set a track up a shallower, and smaller, chute. Once onto the glacier the visibility cheered up a bit and we found the large transverse crevasses topping the Hourglass to be well covered (these crevasses often push one uncomfortably close to Mt Balfour and its tears of seracs). With better visibility I think it would be possible, at present, to cross these slots even further towards the Nunatak and farther away from Mt Balfour.

From Balfour High Col we travelled on an eastsoutheastish bearing roped up with skins on until we could see Lilliput Mtn., we then unroped and deskinned and skied slowly when visibility allowed, and stopped and waited when it didn't. One large crevasse was come upon and traversed around.

March 22nd was a beautiful clear day and our ski out was good with splendid snow conditions and a well frozen Sherbrooke Lake. Skiing by the large slab avalanche out of the west side of Paget Peak (picture attached) got our attention and a "holy moly!" out of me.

My sympathies go out to my fellow guide, Darcy, who is skiing back into Bow Hut as I type to repeat the trip. May our hamster exit his wheel with more current information in four days time.

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard

Mountain Guide

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

www.yamnuska.com

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