[MCR] Rockies, Johnston Canyon

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

I instructed in Johnston Canyon today, Feb 2nd. This morning's - 26 C  
made for a refreshing walk in. Given the forecasted rise in  
temperature I pointed out to my crew that we would tightly limit our  
exposure to the hanging daggers in the central part of the area. Sure  
enough as soon as the sun swung onto them, at 11:30, they started to  
creak, crack and groan. Banff recorded a rise of temperature to -13  
C. The sun had some punch and started to melt out the screws that it  
hit squarely. From noon to 2:00 pm, when the sun was it it's most  
direct,  we witnessed three pillar collapses, all from the safety of  
the climber's right side ice. The smallest was the equivalent of two  
full sized deep freezers and the largest the size of my Subaru  
Outback. It was a strong teaching aid and proof yet again of how  
daggers don't like rapid changes of temperature.

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard
Mountain Guide
www.barryblanchard.ca
www.yamnuska.com




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