[MCR] Ice Conditions on the Icefields Parkway, Nov 15-22

Got back from a week of ice climbing out of Rampart Creek yesterday with the Yamnuska semester program.  As noted by many there is a lot more snow in the gullies than usual this year and despite not seeing a lot of avalanche activity we stayed away from most climbs with avalanche hazard above them.  Another 15-20cm on the highway yesterday kept us headed for more benign terrain.  For those interested, here is a summary of what we climbed and saw.

 

We climbed at:

Tangle Creek (OK but still a bit thin)

Two 0?Clock Falls (good condition)

Louise Falls (climbed below the roof, pillar still needed a few days and lots of hanging ice hazard)

Elliot Left Hand (ice is great but watch for avalanches now, 2x 60m ropes are best, good trail starts 60m S of the small side road where you park)

Meltout (good)

Shades of Beauty (great condition)

Haffner Creek (still thin but coming along and very wet)

 

Cheers, Conrad Janzen

IFMGA Mountain Guide

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