[MCR] Mt Athabasca A/A col route June 20 09

The peaks in the Ice Field area have been receiving snow and rain showers on and off since June 15th. The upper alpine areas above 9500ft have 10-15cm of new snow and much more then this on lee loaded ridge top features, North and East aspects.  

The Sky Ladder route on Mt Andromeda, the North Face, the Silverhorn, and the bench on the North side of Athabasca looked loaded up with recent storm snow. At the end of the day these routes were all showing size 1-2 loose snow avalanche activity.

 

On the A/A col travel conditions were good with 10cm foot pen, weather was very mixed with short periods of sun, snow fall and strong west winds. A good freeze above 9000ft and moist snow below. The bergshrund is still well covered over and easy to pass, the bergshrund below the A/A col proper is now wide open all the way across.

 

With more snow and rain in the forecast mountain conditions will take some time to improve, careful consideration is required with route selection, the amount of time required to complete a route and pockets of wind slab on loaded lee slopes.

 

Cheers,

Mark Stewart, MG

Cirrus Alpine Guides

 

 

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