Climbed Murchison Falls today.
The Parkway did not share its usual impressive views.
Not much visibility was had from road elevation between 9:30 and 18:00 (
late start).
The snow getting to the route was just enough to provide coverage and good
traction.
Once in the open below the route depth is variable, lots of wind activity,
snow drifts increased areas to knee depth, yet still much exposed rock.
Overall volume of snow in the lower bowl not a big issue YET but slabs are
forming.
The route can be best described as fun with adequate protection and
currently hard for its "guide book" grade with some early season hazards.
Main characteristics are ice lenses with rotten snow and ice bellow, found
on most ledges.
However, things are never desperate but remain technical until the end.
The upper left side was dripping and the route does appear ro be filling in
quickly.
During the day snow came down averaging 1 to 2 cm per hour.
At 19:00 lots of new snow on the road all the way to HWY1.
Patrick Delaney
Ass. Alpine guide
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