[MCR] Jasper Front Ranges - Mid - June 2009

Subject: [MCR] Jasper Front Ranges - Mid - June 2009
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:57:17 -0600
Spent the last week climbing, scuba diving and flying around the Front
Ranges and have a few observations to report, some of which are now
approaching a week old but still relevant.

>From Jasper eastward there is a pattern that the south facing aspects are
all dry and summer-like while the north aspects still looked very white
above treeline. I had a good look while on a military SAR sky-diving
training flight along the eastern slopes.

Two attached photos: One is of the the popular Roche a Perdrix which can be
seen to be mostly dry with the exception of a few snow patches on the
diagonal route and snow patches clearly evident on the descent gullies.
During the flight I didn't see any snow on the N ridge Chimney which is
likely dry right now. Ice axe and gaiters may still be necessary on the
descent.

The second photo is of the area south of Folding Mountain. The photo shows a
lot of snow on the north aspects down to near treeline.

Here are some other observations on individual peaks and areas (some from
the air / most from the ground):

Rock climbing areas - Hidden Valley, Morro Bluffs, Rock Gardens, Lost Boys,
Kerkeslin Crags all dry / Ogre Canyon routes all dry but the road is in
typical conditions with mud in the ruts requiring a 4X4 vehicle for sure
right now.

Pyramid Mountain - lots of snow on NNE facing slopes

Colin Range - drying out rapidly. Morro, Hawk, CR5A, Old Man Mountain all
dry / Colin may have snow in some gullies on face but rapidly changing and
ridges looking climbable

Meisner's Ridge - still has some snow patches on north side of ledges along
ascent ridge and expect a fair amount of snow on the descent on the backside
(give it a couple of weeks to let it dry out more)

Edith Cavell - road just opened and the East Ridge is looking about as snowy
as I can ever remember for this time of year. Late start for sure. Cavell
Meadows trail is still closed.

Peveril Peak - still has a bunch of snow on it but clearing up daily; wait a
bit yet.

Skyline trail - still has TONS of snow on it

Cinquefoil / Roche Jacques - N ridge dry

Roche Miette scramble and face routes - dry

Roche a Perdrix - routes mostly dry / snow may be encountered on the
scramble ascent & descent route and the Diagonal Route (see photo)

Maligne Lake - Charlton and Unwin look VERY snowy still.

East of Jasper / North of highway 16 - "The Celestine Lakes Road will be
closed from June 15 ­ July 31, 2009 during bridge construction work
associated with Kinder Morgan pipeline restoration efforts. This closure is
for all traffic, including motor vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian and horse."
(source Jasper National Park) All of the south faces of peaks including
Esplanade, Gargoyle, Roche Ronde, Bedson Ridge and Roche Boule are dry but
inaccessible due to the closure unless you head in from Ogre Canyon. The
Ogre Canyon road requires a 4X4 right now and the ruts are pretty deep.

Scuba diving was great in Lake Annette and Beauvert on the weekend but water
in Horseshoe Lake was just a couple of degrees above freezing when below 60
feet. Brrrr...

That's it for now. Will be in David Thompson country and the Icefields on
the weekend so will try to
report from there upon return.

Cyril Shokoples MG

http://www.rescuedynamics.ca
http://www.rescuedynamics.com

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Attachment: Perdrix June122009.jpg
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Attachment: FoldingJune122009.jpg
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