A second hand report on Polar circus conditions:
"Conditions were very good. Cold start at -21 C (just before 7am). Ice was
brittle in spots, hooked out in some sections, and even some plastic on the
last pitch. There was a well beaten path on the snow slopes between
pitches, I only punched through to the faceted base layer a few times
(reminded me of the poor snowpack – saw the same thing in K country the
other weekend). It did warm up significantly (climbing with no toque at the
top in the sun – sorry I didn't get a temp) during the day, but in the
shade it still felt pretty cold. I didn't see any sluffing, snowballing,
rockfall, of anything else that made me think twice, but there is
definitely enough snow in the gullies that if it released, it would be
pretty huge. Temp at the end of the day was -13 (5pm ish)."
In addition, to date, Parks Canada has not done any explosive control on
the gullies above polar circus. FYI.
Garth Lemke
Public Safety Warden
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
Garde de parc, Sécurité publique
Guide de ski auxiliaire, Association des guides de montagne canadiens
Jasper National Park of Canada | Parc national du Canada Jasper
Parks Canada | Parcs Canada
P.O. Box 10, Jasper AB T0E 1E0 | C.P. 10, Jasper (Alberta) T0E 1E0
Garth.Lemke@pc.gc.ca
Telephone | Téléphone 780-852-6158
Facsimile | Télécopieur 780-852-6135
Cellular Phone | Téléphone cellulaire 780-852-8811
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
www.pc.gc.ca/jasper
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These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.