Amazing Conditions on the Top Hat loop, Yoho Park

Mountain Conditions Report

<p>It was a perfect day to do the Top Hat loop around Emerald Peak in Yoho Park. </p> <p>It was -14 at the Hamilton Lake trailhead at 7:30am. Temperatures stayed cool all day, with clear skies and light SW breeze. There was only one other party seen during our tour. It was 0 degrees at Emerald Lake at 1:00pm. Very easy travel right to the Top Hat - Carnarvon col. </p> <p>Very little recent avalanche activity noted, just a few loose snow avalanches to size 2 on solar aspects starting in steep, rocky solar facing terrain. Some solar triggered sluffs off rock cliffs as we descended into the Emerald Basin. </p> <p>Solar aspects are wind pressed in the alpine, with sun crust below about 2000m. </p> <p>Boot top powder for the upper half of the descent, with a few areas of minor wind affect. No skier triggered activity. The lower 1/3 of the run had a skiable temperature crust. </p> <p>Jordy Shepherd<br /> ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide<br /> <a href="http://www.PeakAlpine.com">www.PeakAlpine.com</a></p>