Manteau neigeux

Wapta and Mt Thompson

jake.finnanWest Side 93N
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Photo d’observation 1Photo d’observation 2Photo d’observation 3Photo d’observation 4Photo d’observation 5Photo d’observation 6Photo d’observation 7Photo d’observation 8Photo d’observation 9Photo d’observation 10Photo d’observation 11Photo d’observation 12Photo d’observation 13Photo d’observation 14Photo d’observation 15Photo d’observation 16Photo d’observation 17Photo d’observation 18Photo d’observation 19Photo d’observation 20Photo d’observation 21Photo d’observation 22Photo d’observation 23Photo d’observation 24Photo d’observation 25Photo d’observation 26Photo d’observation 27Photo d’observation 28

Quick report

Weather
warm, sunny
Ride Type
alpineSlopes, mellowSlopes
Riding Quality
ok
Snow Conditions
hard, windAffected, powder, crusty
Avalanche Conditions
avalancheConditionSound

Wapta conditions & Mt Thompson - Mar 14, 15 2020. 3 of us went in to Peyto Hut and back via Bow Lake. Skied Mt Thompson on our way out. Widespread wind affect pretty typical for the Wapta, but in more places than usual due to the opposing winds during the week. Lots of wind slabs/ crusts, drumming, cracking, sastrugi, and crappy skiing to be found! Cold snow was slow and high friction until later on Sunday. Coverage all over is fantastic, though. I probed 5 or 6 times over the weekend and only once was it under 3m (290cm). Average of ~310cm otherwise. Snow depth on the ice field is very good. We were able to ski from the summit of Mt Thompson and didn't hit a single rock the whole way, which isn't typical.... however, the ski quality was nothing to brag about. Alpine weather on Sunday was absolutely incredible, with perhaps the best weather day I've ever had on skis. Snow remained dry all day, too. There were tons of parties out, some pictured. Of note - there were cornice collapses on the N face on Rhondda, and E face of Mt Baker - neither of which resulted in an avalanche, sweet. Snow stability in the area seemed good - save for some random wind-slabs which we found to be non reactive where we traveled. The toe of the glacier above Bow Hut skied very well but was quite tracked out

Snowpack

Depth
310
Obs Type
summary
Site Elevation
2650
Ski Penetration
5
Cracking Observed
1
Site Elevation Band
alp
Surface Conditions
crust, newSnow