[MCR] Wapta Traverse

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

We finished the Wapta Traverse today, starting on the Peyto Glacier approach April 17 and descending the classic route via Niles Creek this morning.

Going up Peyto Creek is quite bony right now. Although it is still a reasonable option expect to take skis on and off several times to make your way through the gravel flats and moraines.

There was between 2.5 - 3 m of snow on the icefield, which seems a bit thin to me. That said most crevasse areas look filled in, with the exception of the Balfour High Col approach where there are lots of visible crevasses and sags.

The choke past the nunatak below the col has a large crevasse spanning most of it. It has been bypassed on the left on bridges or on the right over icefall debris.

The exit out the Sherbrooke Valley has OK coverage except for a couple of bare spots on the trail as it approaches valley bottom.

We didn't observe any recent avalanche activity. Travel was fast with low ski penetration on the north aspects and either moist surface snow or hard crusts on south aspects, depending on the time of day.

Overall very good conditions in this zone. April in the Rockies is performing again.

Mark Klassen
ACMG-IFMGA Mountain Guide
Banff-Lake Louise, Canada

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