[MCR] Haffner Creek Avalanches

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

-7 this morning and dry all day in Canmore, +2 with light but steady
rainfall at the Haffner Creek trailhead. The rain has saturated the
previously recrystallized snow causing it to loose whatever little cohesion
it had. Consequently the snow started to slough off the relatively benign
sidewalls above the canyon and came roaring down hitting one of the usually
heavily frequented belay spots. In volume far from being capable of burying
someone but  given the weight certainly enough to pummel and injure a
belayer or causing major inconvenience to a lead climber..enough to make us
pull out early today. It also made me think that there are quite a few ice
climbs (Louise Falls, Weeping Wall...) exposed to slopes or side walls that
we don't commonly consider as avalanche terrain but which could pose quite a
risk for a climbing party in the current conditions until things cool down
substantially. 

 

Conditions-wise the usual ice flows are phat and fun to climb, most of the
curtains that are part of the mixed climbs are becoming thin and short
requiring quite a stretch to finish the routes.

 

Cheers,

Jorg Wilz

Mountain Guide (ACMG / VDBS / IFMGA)

 

OnTop ltd.

 <http://www.ontopmountaineering.com> www.ontopmountaineering.com

+1 403 678 2717 or 1-800-506-7177

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