Icefall traverse

Tap teams did the icefall traverse between April 25-May 1st. Weather: The week started with a high pressure system that brought good overnight recovery’s and light to moderate West winds. Freezing levels hovered about 2500m. Convective activity at the start of the week brought trace amounts of snow with gusty winds. Cooler temps followed with excellent recovery and good visibility. Another small system came through with 5-10cm of new snow. The following day the cloud cover kept the snow surface dry until mid day when the sun poked out. May 1st dawn sunny with a solid recovery and freeIng levels rising to 2800m by end of day. For most of the week the freezing levels hovered around 2200m and winds staying in the moderate range at ridge top from the NW. Avalanche conditions: Early in the week with afternoon warming solar triggered wet loose avalanches to size 2 were observed in steep alpine terrain as well as a size 3 wet slab from steep East facing alpine bowl. Activity decreased with cooling temps. However the lower elevation bands still produced several small wet loose from steep features below freezing levels. This was followed by 2 slightly stormier days with observed snow transport at ridge top and little to no avalanche activity. The final day the sun and freezing levels were rising and we observed several size 2 wet loose/slab out of steep SE bowls in the last 12 hours. Ski lines: Mons Le schwa Division Twilight Christian Shallow end Corona bowl Crampon Col La clytte Lens peak Mt Kemmel Vitamin P Espresso shots Diamond glacier Tempest glacier Snowpack: On April 27, 5-10 cm of graupel fell on predominately Melt-Freeze Crusts with the exception of high polar and an isothermal snowpack below 2100m. Cloud cover and moderate-strong winds preserved these conditions mid-week before solar input had its effect on April 30, but with a strong evening recovery. By course wrap-up on May 1, a melt-freeze cycle was in full effect with the exception of preserved snow on the highest polar aspects. Most glaciers have a 3+ metre snowpack, with the exception of high points along the Lyell Icefield and the west side of Mons Peak. Crevasses remain well-bridged with only the slot in the Zen Glacier having recently grown. Widespread glide cracks can be found on steep rock slabs below glaciers.