[MCR] Rockies, Louise Group, Mt Victoria SE Ridge

Subject: [MCR] Rockies, Louise Group, Mt Victoria SE Ridge
Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:20:53 -0600
Jeff MacPherson and I paid a visit to Mt Victoria today via the South East ridge.

Temps at Lake Louise at 0330 were 6C with a warm downdraft from the Plain of Six. The Fuhrmann Ledges were dry and generally in good shape with a fairly good freeze overnight (at this elevation at least) providing excellent cramponing in firm snow up the final few hundred meters to Abbot Hut. The west face of Lefroy looked in snowy condition, with extensive wet sluffing down the Normal Route in the last 24hrs or so. Temps at the hut at 0700 were 9C and we encountered very strong westerly gusting winds, though with no noticeable snow transport. Conditions high on the SE ridge looked as described in recent reports (i.e. spicy with lots of snow arete climbing) however we found all of the initial snow slopes isothermic down as much as 1m. Temps at 0930 at ~3200m were 13C under intense bluebird skies and with highly unsupportive snow, so we turned tail at the rock step before the Sickle and were very happy to be off the slopes and back at the hut by 1030 when the snow had lost all cohesiveness.

Descending to Lake Oesa, there was still extensive snow in the skier's left gully, but the snow in the standard right-side gully can be avoided. Streams are pumping and mozzies are plentiful.


Carl Johnston
RG

Jeff MacPherson
ARG/ASG
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