[MCR] Columbia Icefields/Castle/Louis

Subject: [MCR] Columbia Icefields/Castle/Louis
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 19:49:05 -0600
The Assistant Alpine Guide Exam was at the Columbia Icefields Aug 30

Boundary Glacier - North Glacier circuit (and vice-versa), up to 2900 m elevation at A2 col and below N Face of Athabasca

Up to 10 cm new snow from Aug 29 precipitation event. Variable conditions in the old snow beneath, occasionally punchy just above firn line, firm at higher elevations. Lots of thinly bridged crevasses. More new snow evident at higher elevations, windloading with mod-strong northerlies turning to westerlies at ridgetop over the day. Significant wind pillows noted on the Silverhorn. Suspect slabs on the Silverhorn and the ramp on the regular route.

On Aug 31 we were on Eisenhower Tower and Mount Louis. Both were dry.

Mark

Mark Klassen
Mountain Guide
mark@xxxxxxxxxxxx
www.alpinism.com