| Climbed Louise Falls yesterday, April 11. The climb is huge. We climbed the crux via a groove 5 meters right of the left edge of the curtain, interesting climbing and a half grade harder than usual. The walk off is a little icy and demanded some facing in and front pointing down.
Red Man Soars today, April 12. We used snow shoes and either those, or skis, are a good idea, 10-30 cm of melt/freeze snow lying on the road. We also put our packs on sleds and dragged them to the creek and that was more pleasant than carrying them. The approach ice is like winter canyoneering and it is not long for this world. Running water and deep water threaten, once over it we had a good track to walk on to the climb. The crux is sublimated out with strips of bare rock between some sugary patches of ice. Overall the route is in skinny ice condition, but was a fine and engaging pitch. Whiteman Falls looks blue and good, not much visible evidence of sun affect, but it has water raining down its left and right sides.
Happy trails. Barry Blanchard UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide Yamnuska Mountain Adventures |