Regional Summaries

September hasn’t been typical, and this last week was a very snowy one. In the Rockies there were reports of more natural avalanches up to 2.5 (maybe larger) in the Louise group with deeper than normal fracture lines of up to 1.5meters on lee aspects. The Silverhorn avalanche reported last week that was triggered by climbers (size 3) was completely filled in today as I drove past the Columbia Icefields. There are reports of up to 1m of storm snow that has drifted deeper in certain features, and alpine travel has been “futile” according to a few reputable sources.

When I left Lake Louise this afternoon it was snowing close to 3 cm an hour in the village, ice cleats were useful on the trails at treeline, and the snow plows were out on the 93 N, so what follows is more of a snow report than a climbing summary...though conditions have been pretty good recently.

The last week saw ascents of snow and ice routes like the Emperor Face on Mt Robson, the North face of Stanley, Mt Bryce, Mt Athabasca, and Mt Fay, all in pretty good fall conditions.

Sure feels like fall is in the air through the Columbia and Rocky mountains! Last weekends showers and those since have brought new snow, up to 15 cm, to the high and mid level mountains. I know what you’re thinking but no its not quite enough to borrow your friends new skis and go scratching around yet. There is no wide spread avalanche hazard yet, but I would be carful on high peaks where you could get swept off your feet by a small wind slab pocket depositing you in something unpleasant, like a crevasse.

The long dry smoky session of great alpine rock conditions may be coming to at least a temporary end Friday. Most forecasts throughout the region show some rain and cool temperatures coming. Maybe a bummer for some climber's plans but hopefully it provides great relief for the vast majority of sentient beings in the region.