[MCR] Bow Hut, Mount Gordon

With all the negative factors affecting the Rockies’ snow pack right now (lots of recent new snow with strong winds, day-time warming with intense radiation, buried surface hoar layer lingering) decision making for day trips isn’t all that easy right now. Yesterday, I decided for a day trip to Mount Gordon along the Wapta Icefield.

 

Snow coverage on the approach to Bow Hut is good, including the Canyon. Cold temps especially in the morning (-14C at Bow Lake at 8AM) and about 40-50cm of settled new snow on the glacier made for ski penetration of roughly 10cm – 15 cm. There is evidence of intense wind transport from previous days, predominantly from south/westerly directions, which continued throughout the day along the ridgelines yesterday. Lots of really fat looking wind pillows lingering on slopes close to ridge lines.

 

Also, there have been a good number of recent avalanches, the largest (probably size 2.5 / 3) we saw was on Balfour Glacier. The start zone is in relatively low angle terrain on the glacier climber’s left (south) of the lower ramp commonly used to get to Balfour High Col and it ran into the Hector Lake approach to the Scott Duncan Hut. I suspect the slide was caused by the recent wind loading, possibly combined with the surface hoar layer prevalent on northern aspects in higher elevations along the Wapta Icefields. This surface hoar layer is currently buried 40 – 60cm deep and with wind-stiffened slabs above, many slopes could be prime candidates for skier triggering.

 

Enjoy the sunshine and stay safe!

 

Jorg Wilz

Mountain Guide (IFMGA / UIAGM)

 

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