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Joe McKay Photos
12/16/04
Waterton mostly

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Avalanche conditions general in waterton area: December 17th

I see on the waterton parks web site that the posting is high, high, high. I have only been wandering around for a few days but there does not seem to be enough snow for a high hazard at tree line or below tree line. There certainly is potential in the alpine but I suspect that it would take an isolated terrain feature i.e.: wind-loaded gully on an east aspect for a natural avalanche to occur.  
The winds have been high for the last 4 days with gusts on the prairie just outside of the park reaching 140km + (this was one day last week mind you). Despite the high winds I see no snow moving at ridge top and I suspect that most snow has been transported. Warm temps seem to have consolidated the snow into a breakable to rock hard crust. Certainly warmer temps expected sat. (+12) could raise all alpine features to considerable plus. My gut feeling is that it is moderate to low at the moment in the alpine. Don’t forget that I mentioned isolated terrain features and having only been in the alpine on one aspect have limited observations. The possibility also exists to trigger a slide?

The famous south aspect climbs on the Cameron lake road are taking a beating with the melt freeze. “Experts choice” center fell down last night. Left hand looks climbable but my advice is to wait till things cool off a bit. “Quick and dirty” although formed somewhat is very thin and the other climbs associated with it are non-existent. However on the bright side the climbs across the creek on Buchanan ridge are looking good. The creek is fairly low and it may be possible to cross without getting your feet wet. I personally would take hip waders or rubber boots just in case. There is at least half a dozen climbs of moderate difficulty and a big fat first ascent 1500 feet up in a basin just opposite the well site marker. Not to hard I suspect, huge and fat, just like me.
      The compound gullies have been my playground the last few days. They are a little spooky for their grade because of daytime heating but at least four have formed. The climbs above the golf course are in and actually look to be fun.
       The routes on Vimy look to be in also I can see the Sofa Mountain climbs (Sullivan Falls) but that would have to be a camping trip this time of year I suspect.  
     For more local information Chris Gobles Blog page has some recent photos http://waterton.blogspot.com/