[MCR] wapta April 10-15

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Finished 6 days on the Wapta with an ACC group
A bit more to add to some of the other recent reports

Up to Peyto on the 10th. Generally good travel conditions, no new 
activity observed.
The 11th was pretty much windy and whiteout conditions keeping us 
around the hut doing skills stuff.
Clearing on the 12th, nice day heading to Bow. Noted small size 1 
slab on Trappeur Peak's SE face. Climbed  Mt Rhonda in good 
conditions. Very good coverage on glacier and Rhonda ridge.

Some areas were not affected by wind but the glacier leading to Yoho 
had significant wind affect. Parties on Gordon reported good snow on 
North side with no wind affect on April 12th.

The photo's attached show 2 avalanches both on April 12th. The one 
natural slide on the Bow access headwall was reported to have come 
out early morning. A party on Mt Olive purposely cut a piece of 
cornice off the ridge crest triggering a size 2-2.5 slab on the east 
face of Mt Olive. The crown was about 90cm.

Travelled to Balfour hut on the 13th in good conditions. Not much 
wind affect on Vulture glacier.

April 14th brought about 15-20cm of snow to Balfour pass with strong 
westerly winds all day. Large whales of snow and drifts in the 
Balfour pass area.
Significant wind transport was noted and the east face of Balfour was 
certainly getting loaded.

Though we did not note any new avalanche activity, we decided not to 
traverse to the Scott Duncan hut due to the recent loading and the 
increased hazard you are subjected to on the route.
I would want a few days to let things settle down. East aspects seem 
to be of concern in the Wapta area. (Reports earlier last week also 
mentioned this trend on east aspects in the Wapta)

Heading back out Bow on the 15th was good with little wind affect on 
the Vulture glacier. The crown on the April 12th Mt Olive slide was 
already filling in. The area above Bow hut was wind pressed with the 
last 800 feet above Bow hut being good skiing. The canyon below Bow 
Hut had about 10cm of new snow, still dry, sitting on a good but 
breakable crust. The sun was starting to do it's thing on the solar 
aspects by mid day.

The propane stove at Scott Duncan is still not working though the ACC 
has been trying hard to get some one in there to fix it. Best bring 
some white gas for the coleman stove until you find out otherwise 
from the alpine club.

Overall temperatures were below average with lows in the -17 to -8 
range most of the week. Day time highs rarely got above freezing.
It is certainly still winter up there with winter avalanche hazards.

Peter Amann


Peter Amann
Mountain Guide
pamann at incentre.net 
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