[MCR] Rockies: Murchison Falls and Parkway Avi Obs

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Rockies: Murchison Falls and Icefield Parkway avalanche observations  
(March 8)

-20C at Murchison Falls this morning made for hard, fracturing ice  
until the sun hit the route at 1pm, which helped to soften up the  
surface enabling one swing sticks on the last pitch (finally). There  
is a big hanging icicle to the left of the top of the route which  
would cause some damage if it decided to collapse while climbers were  
on the lower pitches.

The bowl at the base of the route is sporting a hard wind/spindrift  
slab. We didn't get any whoophing (as reported last week on gravsports- 
ice.com) but we were happy to have the avi gear with us (beacon, probe  
and shovel). Remnants of an old small (size .5) loose snow avalanche  
is obvious scouring across the approach trail about 50m before the  
climb.

During our drive past Waterfowl Lake this morning (approx. 7am), we  
observed two fairly large (size 2-2.5) avalanches pour down the east  
faces of Mt. Chephren and Mt. Epaulette. Both started from the summit  
rocks that were basking in the early morning sunrise. The one on  
Chephren completely engulfed The Wild Thing and The Wild Thing Direct.

Sean Isaac
ACMG Alpine Guide