Bow-Yoho

<p>Out of a 5 day Bow - Yoho traverse from March 25-29. In from Bow lake to L&R Guy hut. Weather rolled in on the descent towards Collie and stayed upon us for the next 72 hrs. Whiteout Navigation to to the hut, ACC hut access track is spot on. Winds were relentless gusting well over 50 km/h. We were hut bound except for a quick jaunt up Yoho peak in semi Whiteout conditions and some crevasse rescue skills practice from the hut rafter and wind scoop at the front. We thought there was little new precipitation but dropping down to the Des Poilus glacier on the 28th, we realised there was close to 30cm of new snow down in the valley. ACC glacier access track is also spot on. We fished across the glacier to exit on the right side if the icefall and went around the Whaleback. The S-facing gully down towards little Yoho has slid in the last warm spell. We found it best to initially ski straight down the gully and traverse skier's left through trees to the base of a cliff where terrain opens up and offers a smooth ski down (pretty much on the summer trail) to GR328086. This line would also work well for the skin up on the reverse traverse. Staying in the narrow gully would involve skiing over hard avalanche debris. Followed the beaten track to SM hut and went for a tour to Kiwetinik pass. Widespread wind effect in the alpine, not a lot of accumulation due to wind speed but localised pockets of wind slabs in specific terrain feature. Lee side windloaded. With the new storm just rolling in, conservative travel and objectives will be the order of the day.</p>

Terrain Avoided

Steep slopes, Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Stormy, Windy, Cloudy, Foggy.