[MCR] Columbia Icefields access via Athabasca Glacier

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Recent warm temperatures have caused an extensive natural avalanche cycle in the Columbia Icefields area of Jasper and Banff National Park. Between 1400 and 1800 a significant serac collapse occurred in the Athabasca Glacier icefall. Large blocks of ice and snow approximately 100ms wide ran from the upper exposed seracs, across the middle bench. This affects the suggested access route for the Icefields proper and is the most popular access used to approach Snowdome, Mt. Columbia and the trench. The icefall continues to become more and more unstable. The route itself looks superficially covered from the last storm and coverage should improve leading into the spring. Early season adventurers are advised to approach this route with extreme caution and to move rapidly and cautiously through this area. Field teams approached and exited the Icefields neve via the Saskatchewan glacier last week. We found variable coverage ranging from 350+ cms at the top to bare ice on the glacier tongue. The sun is starting to penetrate deeper into the snowpack these days and back-country users need to be very cautious during the transition between the winter and spring snowpack conditions. 


Jasper Visitor Safety
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