During a mass balance glacier monitoring field trip, we were able to get snow depths from the higher glacier to the toe. At 2500m there was 5 to 6 metres and gradually decreasing to 250cm at the toe of the glacier. Travel conditions were 0 ski-pen in the early morning and by mid AM the crust started to break down with 5 to 10cm ski-pen. At 2200m the snow became isothermal and many sags were visible but few open crevasses. Some areas on the lower toe before the steep roll over we probed 80cm down to glacier ice.

On many large steep slopes, 2200m and below, there were glide cracks and lots of crinkling visible - these slopes are unpredictable for sudden failure. The descent/approach up to the toe of the Illicillewaet does not look like a very attractive place to travel through right now, unless there was a strong overnight freeze.

Glacier National Park Visitor Safety