Just back from a great ski traverse from the Chaba Glacier out to the Columbia Icefields, climbing Mt. Columbia and Snowdome along the way!
There is still lots of snow, even at lower elevations, compared to other years I have done this tour. Up on the main Icefields crevasses remain well bridged with little or no sagging and good coverage.
Above 2600m a good supportive crust continued to form overnight due to the clear skies, however this broke down quickly with the surface 10-20cm of snow becoming moist by mid-day. Below 2600m the snowpack quickly became isothermal with minimal surface crust recovery and lots of avalanche activity once the sun came up. We made sure to be off any avalanche terrain by mid-morning due to the rapid heating of the last few days.
The East Ridge of Columbia was in excellent shape early yesterday morning. Boot crampons and an ice axe were needed for the ascent on firm snow. The final crevasse, 40m below the summit is thinly bridged but easily crossed. We were back down by 0930.
Snowdome was good traveling early this morning and the Athabasca Glacier exit was good corn skiing by 0830 as we descended. Crevasses were well filled in on the route down and travel was quick.
Enjoy the late season ski touring!
Cheers, Conrad Janzen
Mountain Guide with the Alpine Club of Canada
A person should have wings to carry them where their dreams go, but sometimes a pair of skis makes a good substitute. -Hans Gmoser-
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