[MCR] Avalanches and Ice climbs in Banff, December 19, 2013

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Some notable avalanche activity was observed yesterday and today during some avalanche control flights in Banff National Park.
 
A natural size 2.5 above "Cascade Falls" came down and reached the top of the climb.  Lots more snow on the sides still waiting for a trigger. 
A natural size 2.5 came down "Rogans Gully" and with debris to the bottom of the narrows.  
"Bourgeau Left" had a couple natural size 2 avalanches which came about 2/3 of the way down the bowl above the climb.  Again there is still lots of terrain above the climb which did not slide.  
An explosive controlled size 3 came down over "Silk Tassel" dusting the highway and the railway with the powder cloud.

The take home message is that there is currently potential for large avalanches to occur failing on the weak basal facets. Probably a good idea to minimize exposure to this kind of terrain for the next while.

Cheers, Conrad Janzen
Visitor Safety Technician
Banff, Yoho & Kootenay National Park
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