[MCR] Bishop Range

Subject: [MCR] Bishop Range
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 15:08:35 -0700
Spent the last four days camped below Mt. Selwin near the Bishop Glacier.  
Selwin was dry. Did not get over to Hasler, but looked in good shape.  The 
schrund on Hasler is large, but crossable.  Climbed Wheeler on Aug. 21.  The 
Deville Glacier was largely bare, with snowline around 9000ft.  Snow/firn on 
Wheeler was firm, perfect styrofoam conditions, softening in the afternoon.  No 
overnight freezes for all three nights, but got a dusting of snow last night 
above 10,000ft.  System intensified this afternoon, with limited visibility, 
S1, moderate NE winds.

Checked out the Deville rap stations - all in good order. Look skiers left of 
main gully - cairns and bits of colored tat help find the start of the raps.

Report from climbers on Sir Donald:  very good conditions with snow lingering 
on the north side of the ridge, but main ridgeline and south side all dry.  A 
system moved in last night however, and climbers were reporting (by radio)
snowing S3 as of 14:00 hrs this afternoon, depositing lots of fresh snow on the 
ridge.  Sounds particularly ugly up there right now.

SF.