[MCR] Rockies, Wapta

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

I guided a ski traverse on the Wapta April 18-21. Great snow coverage from the car all the way into the high country. We made our attempt to cross the Balfour High Col on April 20th. The best coverage in Balfour Col that I can remember seeing -no need to ski over, or around, rocks or pebble studded plaster sidewalks of boilerplate (more common in previous years). I tried to thread the needle through the massive crevasses on the glacier ramp to keep a serac eater on our uphill side, but got stymied by cross crevasses. We backtracked out of the maze and went around skier's right of all of the crevasses (I recommend doing that). We turned tail soon after in worsening weather that sent us on a long tramp through the white-out and wind back to Bow Hut. 15-20 cms of light dry new snow fell that day and night and when the 21st dawned sunny the skiing was mighty fine, dry above 7500 feet, but getting spongy on steeper solar aspects below that, yet still great to ski.

My last trip of the season,
happy trails,

Barry Blanchard
UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide
http://www.barryblanchard.ca
http://www.yamnuska.com
barryb3 at telus.net
1 403 609 4615
cell 1 403 609 1321

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