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Thursday, February 11, 2010

[MCR] Conditions on Icefields Parkway and Lake Louise Back-country

Spent the last three days stomping around the back-country near Lake Louise
and up the Icefields Parkway.

Skied Mt. Hector on Feb. 9, Crowfoot Glacier yesterday, and Divide Creek
today. About 180 cm of snow on lower Hector Glacier. Lots of crevasses in
this area-would not want to be up there in poor visibility.

Significant observation in all three areas is the presence of wide-spread
surface hoar (up to 10 mm) from valley bottom right up to ridgetops. This
surface hoar was buried by 5 cm of low density new snow on February 10th.
Due to how wide-spread and how well preserved this surface hoar is, it
likely will become a significant layer of concern in the future as we get
more snow and wind.

Still currently great skiing up high with very little wind effect.

Brian Webster
Mountain Guide


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