[MCR] Rockies: Crowfoot Glades and Helen Shoulder

Two groups from the ACC TNF crew were out on Crowfoot Glades and Helen Shoulder today.

General Avalanche Observations: Numerous slab avalanches observed on Crowfoot Peak, Jimmy Simpson, Bow Peak and Dolomite Peak today, all from the last 24 hours. We estimate that we saw over 30 slabs out in our two groups today from our vantage points. Sizes ranged from size 1 to 3 with the biggest being the four major slide paths on Dolomite Peak running to valley bottom and starting from high in the start zones. Slab depth was generally about 40cm with some deeper. Some smaller slabs seen at treeline in some surprising places. Many larger slabs were in steep features and on moraines. It would generally be a bad time to jump into any significant sized features.

A cornice failure off Crowfoot falling onto the Crowfoot Glacier was witnessed at 14:30. Both groups travelling experienced whumpfing during the day with some cracking and evidence of soft slab formation. Some cracks travelled far though the terrain.

Snow pack on Crowfoot was about 150cm while on Helen Shoulder it was a bit over 100cm. Ski penetration was typically 30 to 50 cm. Occasionally you would sink to ground in weak spots around boulders and trees.

Both groups used conservative terrain on both up and down tracks with good group management. Terrain skied in the open was generally not in excess of 25 degrees and we pretty much avoided any avalanche terrain and overhead exposure. Despite this the ski quality was excellent.

Matt Reynolds MG
Cyril Shokoples MG
ACC TNF Crew: J St-Pierre, F. Mulvenna, J. MacDonald, G. Miller, N. Steiner, Manouane, W. Strong, A. Revill, H. Davidson, S. Lambert