[MCR] Columbia Icefields Conditions

Subject: [MCR] Columbia Icefields Conditions
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 16:03:43 -0600

Up at the Columbia Icefields from Aug 5-8 with my colleague Mike Trehearne. From Aug 5-7th the weather was generally unsettled; raining at night with a mix of sun and cloud during the day. Today dawned clear and cold and perfect for alpine climbing. During the period there were several attempts on Athabasca via the AA col which were aborted with the weather. One party climbed Skyladder over 17 hours on the 6th and reported lots of postholing. All the Athatbasca north face routes look quite icy and in good shape. The firn line was approximately 9000 ft with sporty crevasse crossing until you climbed higher into thicker snowcover. We did not observe any avalanches during the period.

 

Happy Alpinism!

 

James Blench

www.jamesblench.ca

(403)678-2576 home

(403) 678-7822 cell

 

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