The last Rambler's trip on the Wapta traverse was ably coordinated in good conditions by David. It was a wonderful trip and conditions enabled us to bag some peaks and wonderful views along the way. I was a very lucky participant in that memorable trip. Unfortunately starting with the HIGH avalanche hazard rating for Good Friday, that I read Thursday morning, through to us aborting the trip on Sunday after encountering significant snow and wind on the trip to Balfour hut we were unable to repeat the 2005 trip this year.

Being a group of stubborn Ramblers we refused to give up after the HIGH avalanche rating Thursday morning. Kudos to the group for backing off to a plan to head for Balfour hut Saturday if the Parks avalanche risk assessment reduced. The avalanche risk assessment did back off to CONSIDERABLE so 6 Ramblers headed across Bow lake around 11:30 am on Saturday (delayed by an hour because this coordinator and scribe forgot the rope .... sigh).

Setting out across Bow Lake with high hopes

The usual trek to Bow Hut, a brief break, and then we headed off into winter with wind and blowing snow. We could see a little bit at the Olive / St Nick col but we pulled the GPS and compass out .... 4.23 Km SE to Balfour hut. It took a while as the lead group were breaking trail through 10+ cms of fresh snow (downhill!!). I think we were all relieved when we identified the hut less than a kilometre in the murk as some of the stronger skiers made a bee-line for the hut over some interesting old glacial morainal features! The first group got to the hut just after 7:00 pm I think. Despite a Rambler being told a couple of months ago the hut was full we were the only group at Balfour Saturday night on the Easter long weekend - probably the other folks were smarter than us as, with the wind still blowing and the fresh snow, it did not look optimistic for Balfour high col on Sunday. In the "empty" hut I enjoyed my natural tendency to be "sloppy" and spread out my junk .... enjoyed a nice supper from Lida and Kevin and chatted about trips, skiing .... and "stuff".

Group shot in Balfour Hut

It was fortunate we had ice axes ... not for climbing but for the hut stay. The barrel was full in the biffy and the barrel storage door was blocked by ice. Carl practised his outstanding "biffy ice technique" and we were able to replace the barrel.

Carl demonstrating outstanding biffy ice technique.

Sunday morning there was evidence of new natural avalanches off the east face Balfour, the wind was still blowing and this coordinator did not need to do any convincing to the group (thanks everyone) that we should abort the traverse. I could n't see the high col where things get steeper.

Setting out from Balfour Hut (route to Balfour high col in background)

The naturals off the east face of Balfour we could see did not reach the high bench ... but ... the stuff in the cloud was where I have seen serac fall etc ..... and below Niles things are steeper.

On the way out Carl, Lida and Kevin bagged Mount Olive in mixed weather.Sunday was better than Saturday but there was mixed cloud and mist on the icefield which limited views.

Ramblers ascending Mount Olive

Lida approaching summit of Mt Olive (Rhondda and Thompson in background)

There was a large camp on the Wapta neve below Olive and we saw a couple of para-skiers (looked like harder work than trail breaking!). I think the para-skiers were from this winter camp.


Para skiing on the neve of the Wapta icefield.

Skied down in nice snow to a, relatively deserted, Bow hut on the way out.

Alicja skiing past St. Nicholas on the way to Bow hut.

A group at Bow hut reported turning back from just below Gordon after experiencing a disconcerting "whumph" in the wind affected snow.

Usual run out from Bow hut. We stopped for supper at the hostel in Lake Louise. This yorkshire man enjoyed roast beef, yorkshire pud, mashed potatoes - what he grew up on! The appetizer (olives I think were involved) and dessert ... sorry I am English ... do n't know what they were but they were good too!Thanks to the participants: Carl, Jeannine, Alicja, Kevin and Lida from C&SP John.Thanks Carl for the photos and Kevin for driving.

John, Kevin, Lida, Jeannine, Alicja & Carl at Bow Hut (in sunshine!)