MCR Observation

Mountain Conditions Report

<p>4 Days spent on the Wapta Icefield over the Remembrance Day Long Weekend. </p> <p>Summaries:<br /> Snow and glacier conditions:<br /> -Anywhere from 0-40cm between 1800-2100m depending on aspect and valley.<br /> -Average of 115-150cm on glaciers with Balfour Glacier being an exception with probed depths up to 210cm<br /> -Lots of apparent open crevasses but no encounters with questionable snow bridges<br /> -Strong, uniform snowpack with surface of snow capped with a semi supportive melt freeze crust to 3000m. Snowpack was 'spring-like'.<br /> -Signs of previous warming with glidecracks formed. </p> <p>Weather:<br /> -Thursday: clear with evidence of strong winds in am at higher elevations<br /> -Friday: few clouds and strong to extreme winds. Minimal transport and deposition considering extent of wind.<br /> -Saturday: 5cm of warm/wet snowfall and moderate winds with temps 0 to -3 @ 2000-3000m<br /> -Sunday: clearing in the am with cooler temperatures.</p> <p>Avalanche conditions<br /> -Minimal to no avalanche activity.<br /> -Few size 1-2 natural loose wet following wet snowfall Saturday (12th)<br /> -Few size 1 natural soft windslabs with extreme winds Friday (11th)</p> <p>Approaches:<br /> -Ski remained on back till the Peyto Glacier. Rockfall was a concern in the canyon with sun and warm temperatures.<br /> -Exit down to Sherbrooke Lake had snow till the lake with sections of bootpacking and bushwacking</p> <p>Overall, a successful and beautiful early season trip and hopefully the glaciers will be set up for a good year but low down still needs much more snow. Unusually warm late fall conditions.</p> <p>For more photos: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/samckoy/sets/72157660783311538">https://www.flickr.com/photos/samckoy/sets/72157660783311538</a></p>