Climbed Melt Out (2 pitches) yesterday (Nov 18). It is in great shape, fat
enough to take long screws the whole way and no pick strikes on rock. The
ice was nice and plastic.
It had one hole 3/4 up the second pitch that was spitting water out, had to
move quickly to avoid getting too wet.
Many climbs along the Icefields Parkway are forming, but they are in
classic early season shape - thin and wet.
Easy walking to most climbs with 5 - 10 cm of snow. Watch for pockets of
slab between pitches on some climbs, and with the warm temperatures any
route that has avalanche hazard on or above it requires careful evaluation.
Several size 2 natural avalanches were noted yesterday, mainly on
north-east aspects. The crowns were up to 1 metre deep, and fracture lines
propagated up to 400 metres.
Skiing at Hilda Ridge 3 days ago was OK in the areas protected from the
wind.
Jordy Shepherd
Mountain Guide
(See attached file: Meltout 1.jpg)(See attached file: Pitch 2.jpg)
Meltout 1.jpg
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Pitch 2.jpg
Description: JPEG image
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