Spent the past week on the Wapta at Bow and Peyto Huts with Thompson Rivers University students.
The past week on the Wapta began with a huge rain event to peak top on September 28th, causing flooding and mud slides. A piece of the moraine above the last flat section on the approach to Bow Hut collapsed and caused a mud flow across the trail. In several places the trail to Bow Hut has been washed out, but the washed out areas are easily passable.
One of our groups reported seeing two logs flowing down Peyto Creek on the approach to Peyto Hut. They turned around, and it is suspected that the bridge across the creek on the approach to Peyto Hut has been washed downstream. Sounds like several parts of the approach trail to Peyto Hut are washed out, and it is unknown how this affects the access to Peyto Hut from Peyto Lake.
After the rain event, air temperatures did not drop below freezing through October 3rd, but there was a good surface freeze every night on the rain soaked snow surface. This made for very easy travel on bare ice near the toe of the glaciers, and on firm crusty snow everywhere else. We enjoyed 5 days with hardly a cloud in the sky and perfect travel conditions. On the glaciers, caution is advised as many snow bridges across crevasses are getting soft in the afternoon and it was common to put a foot through. Wear the rope! Snow depth ranges from no snow on the ice below 2400 metres, to areas with 140 cm to 190 cm up on the Wapta Icefield.
Collectively we climbed Olive, St. Nicholas, Gordon, Rhondda, Habel, and Thompson with numerous parties.
Alpine conditions are still very good. Start early, and watch for deteriorating snow bridges and rising avalanche / cornice fall / rockfall danger in the afternoon.
Jordy Shepherd – Mountain Guide
Jeremy Mackenzie – Mountain Guide
Abby Watkins – Alpine Guide / Asst. Ski Guide
Chris Miller – Mountain Guide
Shaun King – Mountain Guide