[MCR] Willingdon area and Pipestone

Subject: [MCR] Willingdon area and Pipestone
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:01:12 -0600
Attempted to climb Willingdon from August 26-28. Beautiful weather going in on 26th, good conditions. (until late in day) An intense cold front brought strong winds and heavy rainfall the night of the 26th. Temperatures dropped 10 degrees over a few hours. We had strong winds and an intense dust storm near the north end of Pipestone Pass as the system approached which was knocking us off our feet!

(check out this short clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTFUKj8qP8o)

We accessed the Pipestone via col NE of Molar meadows by small lake. From above the small lake a bench at 2600 metres (526253) leads SE to another lake then to trail. This route though longer than quartzite col is easier and probably better if wet or snowy.

The 27th was unsettled and the peak had picked about 10cm of snow and weather still very unsettled. Snow line was down to 2400 metres and spotty with some peaks getting much more snow than others. We decided to start to head out and were hit by another system on the which gave another 5-10cm at upper elevations late in the day.

This route though longer than quartzite col is easier and probably better if wet or snowy. Driving home late afternoon on the 28th ran into an intense snow storm near the icefields and it looks like much more snow at and above treeline in the Jasper area.
Spectacular country.....just one day late!

Peter Amann

Peter Amann
Mountain guide
pamann@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Attachment: col NE of molar from east side.jpg
Description: JPEG image

Attachment: willingdon.jpg
Description: JPEG image

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