Information for the MCR
Columbia icefields area from May 14 – May 20, 2009
Moderate to strong SW winds occurred in the icefields over the May long
weekend with relatively warm temperatures dipping below zero overnight.
Almost 40cm of snow fell during the week with most coming on May 18 and
May 19. Higher alpine locations will surely have received more snow with
an estimate of 15 – 20 +cm overnight for May 19/20.
Significant wind transport occurred from Friday through the weekend under a
warm wind developing slab avalanche conditions in the higher alpine on East
to North aspects. A climber accidental slab avalanche occurred on the bench
route of Mt Athabasca on Saturday May 16 (refer to MCR posted on that
day)with other alpine slab avalanches to size 2 observed in the alpine
through the weekend. Debris from a recent windslab to sz 2 was observed on
Tuesday that released on the silverhorn and ran down the normal route up
Athabasca.
May 19 saw the jasper townsite receive 15 – 20cm of heavy wet snow which
was widespread throughout the valley all the way East to the boundary and
south through the icefields area. This indicates larger overnight deposits
in the higher alpine around the townsite.
Winds:
Mod – Str SW May 16/17
L NW – NE winds May 18/19
L – Mod SW May 19/20
Temps Parker upper
Max 4.5
Min -6.8 (cooler temps on May 20)
Snow (based on parker study plot telemetry)
Light snow flurries on May 15-16 redistributed by Mod/St SW winds
15-20cm on May 18 & 19 under L – Mod SW winds.
Prepared by Public Safety Warden Mike Eder
Brad White IFMGA
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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.