[MCR] Ranger Creek

Subject: [MCR] Ranger Creek
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:18:11 -0600
Wandered up Ranger Creek with fellow Mountain Guide, Tim Auger, for a day of early season ice climbing. The creek is not yet frozen, so you have to cross on the partly submerged beaver dam.

A major wash out has taken out the trail on the bottom half of the approach (it started at Lone Ranger). Lobes of debris came right down to the creek. This doesn't pose a problem for access, there is just more tedious scree walking than before. Likely, this happened during the late September monsoons.

Lone Ranger was in pretty good shape until the final 6 meters, where the ice became very air-(ated) and difficult to protect. Fine ice climbing conditions right up to that point.

Chalice and the Blade/Spoon looked very athletic, but climbable.

R&D was detached in a few places and made a few weird noises, and if I were to go back I would certainly wait for colder temperatures. The temps were just above freezing this afternoon.

There is virtually no avalanche hazard to be concerned with at this point.

Aaron Beardmore
Mountain Guide
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