Hello,
Just returned from a 6 day trip to the Wapta Icefields with the Canadian/ New Zealand semester. We spent time between the Bow and Balfour huts and were turned back by poor weather from the Balfour high col.
A few things we thought should be passed on:
- Feb 4-5 there were consistent strong winds from the SW. We observed 10-30cm windslabs on the normal route up to South Rhonda. Also, a size 2 natural avalanche on the NE aspect of Mt Olive slid to the ice sometime during the wind event.
- Warm temps (lows of -6) in the last few days seem to have tightened things up. Tests at a similar elevation and aspect to the Mt Olive slide yesterday gave easy sloughing of the new dust on top but other than that a Rutschblock 6 (2 times) with an uneven shear down about 60cm. I would still keep an eye out for windslabs on those lee aspects for the next few days.
- Average snow depths on the glaciers seams to be about 200cm
- Getting to the Balfour high col is guarded by its usual large crevasse under the icefall which looks like it forces the route very close to the icefall. We were turned back before this because of poor visibility but keep your heads up!
- Today the skiing above the Bow hut was good with 5-10cm of dust on soft crust.
Have fun!
Jesse de Montigny
Assistant Ski Guide
Assistant Alpine Guide