[MCR] Wapta Feb 29-March 3 Rockies

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Although conditions at the moment are changing here are a few significant observations from the terrain covered from Peyto Lake to Bow Lake.
 
Feb 29 and March 1
What was noticable was the very thinly covered rocks with the storm snow of last week already well on it's way to being pure facets at Treeline.
The wind has been doing it's usual business with plenty of exposed moraine on the Peyto lake approach, compressed snow to travel onto the upper moraine.
 
At 8500ft there is consistantly 240cm of snow and 9000ft and above 300+.  Some snow observations high on the ridge of Mt.Habel revealed the SH layer down 45cm in a very exposed ridge feature, a hard wind slab above and no shearing from tests..what was of interest was that in a more sheltered slope at the same elevation no such layer could be found.  Opposite to what was expected and confirms some highly variable preservation at higher elevations.
We experienced no whumphing.  Saw no new avalanches.
 
March 2 and 3rd extreme Westerly winds transported snow rapidly.  Temps increased from -16 to -6 overnight at 7800ft.
 
The exit from Bow hut was fine today, obvious loading on lee Alpine slopes.  Minor cracking with skier traffic.  
With more snow adding up, strong winds and warmer temps the weak faceted snow around rocky features at Treeline and loaded lee slopes in the Alpine will likely have increased potential to human triggering.
 
Safe Travels with the new snow.
Merrie-Beth Board
ACMG Assisant Alpine/Full Ski Guide 		 	   		  
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