Ski touring today at the main Black Prince apron along the Smith Dorrien Road: -2C at the parking lot at 9.30 AM and variable, at times heavy snowfall all day. Most notable were strong at times gusty winds, which seemed to be blowing up the valley (i.e. south-easterly) and more northerly in the pm. By mid day, there were about 30-40 cm of recent snow sitting on several decomposing sun crust layers in the upper snowpack. We ended up turning around before exiting the trees as the slab became denser and deeper with the increased wind transport higher up on the slope.
Getting out of the unplowed parking lot at 3.30 pm and the drive home was probably the most adventurous part of the day. Heavy snowfall (probably 4 cm / hour) and the strong winds made for tough driving conditions and we took the long way back to Canmore via HWY 40.
Jorg Wilz
Mountain Guide (ACMG / VDBS / IFMGA)
OnTop ltd.
www.ontopmountaineering.com
