Mt. Joffre

<p>As with everywhere else, it is hot, and highly advisable to avoid travel, especially around Fossil Falls, after noon. Crossing Upper Kananaskis lake is safe and great for now, but the thin snow was melting and leaving pools of water in places on the ice. The ice appears thick and should last, but it will more clear how long when the snow is gone. We went climber's left around Fossil Falls both ascending and descending, as despite recent wet loose activity on the route and dry loose activity while we were ascending, the avalanche risk appeared much lower. That side is shaded until noon. Snow on the left route is half crusty from yesterday's evening sun and half dry wind-deposited powder until. Generally the left route around the falls has so little snow in the most high-consequence sections that it appeared significantly safer. We observed some minimal wind slab in isolated areas, but largely sun affect is the main concern everywhere. The steep, high parts of the face above Hidden Lake and the climber's right route around the falls was constantly, audibly avalanching due to sun exposure when we passed it between noon and 2pm. Both the NE ridge of the pinnacle and the north face are viable under current conditions (NE ridge: 2" of wind-loaded powder or slightly wind-slabbed snow, or rocks; N face: deep slightly wind-slabbed but still fairly soft snow, transitioning to thinly covered brittle ice as the slope increases). </p>

Terrain Ridden

Alpine slopes, Convex slopes, Dense trees, Mellow slopes, Steep slopes.

Terrain Avoided

Sunny slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Snow Conditions

Crusty, Powder, Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Sunny, Warm.