Myself and Ben Firth guided 4 clients in the Athabasca / Icefields area June 11-12. Lots of snow still for this time of year. Mainly sunny conditions and a light breeze made for pleasant days. Today (June 12) we climbed Boundary Peak via the North Glacier and the Athabasca-Boundary Col, and descended the scree/snow on the north side of Boundary Peak back to the climber’s parking lot on the snow coach access road. Not much freeze on Saturday night, leading to a bit of post-holing to the knees for a short while, at around 2500m. Travel was generally good and supportive above 2600m on the North Glacier on Athabasca, with good snow coverage (see photos). No boot skiing to be found on the way down from the peak, with soft, isothermal snow resulting in knee to crotch deep steps. Travel was fine on the adjacent scree slope. Photos of the Silverhorn, upper North Face, and the Ramp routes on Athabasca are also attached. A guided party took a straight line up to the rock notch on the north face today. There was also a zig-zag track up the north face from a previous party (see photo). There is a lot of snow in the Icefields area. Crevasses are well hidden, and many snow bridges are soft and weak. We also noted recent loose, wet snow avalanche activity on most aspects, and observed a south facing basin on Snowdome spitting out numerous size 2+ avalanches over the two days that we were in the area. Jordy Shepherd, ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide Ben Firth, ACMG Assistant Alpine Guide www.PeakAlpine.com |
Athabasca North Glacier June 12, 2011.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Athabasca Ramp June 12, 2011.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Silverhorn June 12, 2011.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Athabasca North Face #2 June 12, 2011.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Athabasca North Face June 12, 2011.jpg
Description: JPEG image
_______________________________________________
These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
|
