[MCR] The Shadow, North Aspect on Mt. Patterson, Canadian Rockies

Climbed "The Shadow" (left of Riptide) on the North aspect of Mt Patterson on Feb 2 .

The route itself is plastered in ice with makes for aesthetic climbing but, in general the climbing is mostly mixed, challenging to protect and in current conditions goes at M7.

Riptide looks to be in very good shape and likely hasn't seen an ascent this year.

We skied the North facing gully below the route from ~2500m. All-in-all the snowpack seemed very stable although we did avoid the shallow convexities. A light dusting of storm snow (it snowed lightly most of the day yesterday) lies over a gradually stiffening well settled snow pack. In shallow(less than 75cm) areas there was a weak facetted layer near the base but the overlying snow did not seem to have slab properties. The snowpack at TL and BTL (east aspect) was shallow and weak.

Photo attached.

Rob Owens
www.robowensguiding.com

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