[MCR] Bugaboos June 28, 2011

Here's an update on conditions in the Bugaboos:

 

There is still a pile of avalanche debris blocking the access road just before the parking lot.  This should be melted out soon but probably not before the Canada Day long weekend.  The trail to the Conrad Kain Hut is largely snow free but there are still many patches of snow to cross lower down and there is continous snow above 2050m elevation, which is right around where the trail tops out above the steep bluffy section.  There are also several piles of avalanche debris mixed in with rocks and wood that must be crossed.  When I came down the trail yesterday the debris was firm and difficult to kick steps into, which made it pretty exciting with a chainsaw over my shoulder.  An ice axe would add some security for these sections as some of them are quite steep and exposed, especially if the temperatures have been cold.

 

The snow is supportive at and above the hut, making for good travel and boot skiing.  Most of the climbing routes in the Crescent Basin seem to be in shape such as McTech Arete, Lion's Way, Ears Between ect.  The Bugaboo-Snowpatch Col is still very snowy with no sign of the bergshrunds and minimal recent avalanche activity.  The Kain Route also looks pretty snowy, and it is still winter on anything in the alpine that faces north.

 

The Alpine Club crew is currently working on getting the hut's water and micry-hydro systems up and running but there is a lot of snow to dig through to access parts of the system so hard to say if it will be all systems go by the long weekend.  There's a couple of tent sites exposed at Applebee but otherwise it is totally snow covered.

 

I'd say it's worth it to go in there to climb some of the rock routes in the Crescent Basin and perhaps some of the mountaineering objectives around the head of the Bugaboo Glacier but most of the bigger alpine objectives will need some more time to melt out.

 

Have Fun,

 

Jeff Volp

BC Parks/ACMG  

 

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Bugaboo Spire June 28.JPG
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Kain Hut June 28.JPG
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