[MCR] jasper snow

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Up for a jaunt yesterday morning at Maligne Lake. Went up the Lovatt 
scout trail just south of the Bald Hills fire road.
fortunately there was an old track or I would have turned 
around...The snowpack below treeline barely supports weight and if 
you break through it is tough getting back to the surface.
Climbing out of this valley there are some low angle S facing glades 
that easily lead to top where the back of the main south peak of the 
Bald Hills can be regained.

I was awed by how everything was subsiding (whoompfing) widespread 
everywhere. I was glad I wasn't anywhere near anything steep enough 
to slide. Once the sun is out even though it was cool (-7) the 
snowpack on the south side was very touchy, This seemed the case in 
many alpine areas where the wind had hit and they were shallow.

Skiing down below treeline you could not really ski off the beaten 
track. Come to a stop, sink to ground
the upper pack is barely supportive, facetts to ground after that. 
Snowpack at treeline was about 1 metre. Foot penetration was about 60-80cm.
Great views of Maligne area!


Peter Amann

Peter Amann
Mountain Guide