[MCR] Hydrophobia Approach, Rocky Mtn. Front Ranges, AB

Subject: [MCR] Hydrophobia Approach, Rocky Mtn. Front Ranges, AB
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:27:54 -0700
The Waiparous Valley road approach to hydrophobia is in currently workable, but 
deteriorating shape, with supportive ice (22+cm thick) on the creek crossing 
and well compressed ruts (passable only in a high clearance vehicle) on the 
hill leading to the bog.

That being said, temperatures were well above freezing for the past 24 hrs 
(6degC @ 5pm today in the bog) and this is softening up all of the frozen and 
semi frozen areas-- including the creek crossing.  We managed to punch through 
a semifrozen permafrost "skin" about 1/2 way across the bog this morning and 
spent the next 5 hours digging, chaining, jacking, levering, and pulley'ing our 
vehicle before eventually giving up and walking out to the forestry trunk road 
where we were rescued by a friend who had driven out with another truck.  Even 
with the large second vehicle and chains on the first, the stuck truck was only 
extracted with a considerable "running start."

So, I would recommend giving the Waiparous approach a miss until it has had a 
solid spell of well below freezing weather (and no new snow, either).  I think 
the Waiparous is probably best approached with two or more vehicles-- we didn't 
do that today and ended up with a 14 hour day of no-climbing, rather than an 
extra hour of truck un-sticking on top of climbing.

Of note for those in the area:  Single to no-bar service can be had from the 
bog on Telus and Bell (enough for texts but not for calls) and good service can 
be had from the hill directly to the north of the Waiparous Valley Rd / SR 940 
junction.

Josh Briggs
Asst. Guide
_______________________________________________
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