[MCR] Rockies: Lake Louise ski traverse

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Yesterday (Saturday) Conrad and I did another great ski traverse:

Lake O'Hara parking - Narao Shoulder - Pope's Col - Plain of 6  
Glaciers - Mitre Col - Paradise Valley - Wasatch Pass - Moraine Lake  
- Consolation Pass - Boom Lake. I'd be surprised if these cols  
haven't been linked before but I haven't heard of anyone doing it  
before. Perhaps the most scenic short traverse I've done.

Conditions were not a surprise. The steep, southerly cliffs and faces  
were shedding snow and cornices regularly, starting in the late  
morning and going into the early evening, running to the bottom of  
the fans. We didn't want to be anywhere near these features after  
about 11.30 am. We were avoiding overhead hazard that consisted of  
steep sun exposed cliffs and cornices. The steep south facing gully  
descent from Mitre Col to Paradise valley was just starting to fall  
apart at 11.30 am and we wouldn't have wanted to have been there any  
later.

There have been a few full depth wet slab releases on south and west  
aspects recently, to size 3.

On more moderate terrain the snow became moist or wet by late morning  
right to ridgetop on all aspects but overall the snow was reasonably  
stable. Easy tracksetting on soft crusts most of the day at all  
elevations although we used ski crampons in a few spots in the morning.

The lakes are poor travel now with ankle deep slush over firm ice  
slowing things down. A bit tiring at 9 pm on Boom Lake  - hour 16 and  
km 35...

Conrad Janzen & Mark Klassen
Mountain Guides
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