Hi all,
Today I guided a group of 5 up Snow Dome via the Athabasca glacier. We had below freezing temperatures all day and a mix of sun and cloud with reduced visibility above 3000m. Moderate west winds created a fair amount of wind transport and variable wind affect higher up. Below 3000m there was up to 20cm of low density snow overlying a firm snowpack which provided good ski quality and fast traveling conditions.
Snow pack depth varied from 70 cm on the toe of the Athabasca glacier to 200cm on the final head-wall. There was over 300cm on the Columbia icefields. On our way up the Athabasca glacier, we access the first bench from the right, the second bench from the left and the final head-wall directly as per usual.
All in all pretty descent conditions considering it is February!
Cheers,
David Lussier
mountain guide
www.summitmountainguides.com
Today I guided a group of 5 up Snow Dome via the Athabasca glacier. We had below freezing temperatures all day and a mix of sun and cloud with reduced visibility above 3000m. Moderate west winds created a fair amount of wind transport and variable wind affect higher up. Below 3000m there was up to 20cm of low density snow overlying a firm snowpack which provided good ski quality and fast traveling conditions.
Snow pack depth varied from 70 cm on the toe of the Athabasca glacier to 200cm on the final head-wall. There was over 300cm on the Columbia icefields. On our way up the Athabasca glacier, we access the first bench from the right, the second bench from the left and the final head-wall directly as per usual.
All in all pretty descent conditions considering it is February!
Cheers,
David Lussier
mountain guide
www.summitmountainguides.com
