Back from another 3 days in the icefields. Climbed Athabasca today via AA col.
Left at 2:15am,, back by 10:30am, June 4th. Only a thin crust on the
surface even higher. Summit ridge area was held together by a crust,
but near isothermal underneath.
All the groups on the mountain were up really early. Crust held
together in the AA col but quite punchy and deeper foot penetration,
not very nice.. foot pen to thigh in some of the shallower areas.
The AA col slope hasn't had any new avalanche activity since being
there a week a go. Most of the snowballing has mostly melted on the
surface. However the snow is weaker and more moist. It is melting
very quickly and more scree is surfacing.
Unless you are experienced, have good judgement and like getting up
real early, now isn't a great time to be alpine snow climbing.
Ran into an unroped party on the toe of the AA col glacier at 09:20am
on their way up..
The rivers are really high! I can't remember seeing the
Athabasca river this high before.
Even though I have lived in Jasper for over 30 years....today I
stopped to look at Athabasca Falls
The picture shows some of the high country by Castleguard meadows and
west. Still a lot of snow out there to melt.
Peter Amann
Mountain Guiding
Box 1495, Jasper AB, T0E 1E0
780 852 3237
cell 780 931 2521
www.incentre.net/pamann
pamann@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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