My fellow guide, Pat Delaney, and I guided ascents of Coire Dubh Integral
today, April 1. The ice on the first pitch is deteriorating and climbed like
somewhat detached stiff slush. It may not be long for this season. The rest of
the ice was fine. Recent snows have blanketed the scree ledges with snow that
feels like spongy whale blubber, but provided good step kicking today. The snow
is also holding the rocks in place, no rockfall there today. We climbed the
crux rock corner without crampons on dry rock with some wetness weeping from
snow patches. We descended the ridgeline to the 1A Highway after traversing
Loder Peak.
Overall -good conditions. We made the trip in about seven and a half hours.
Happy trails,
Barry Blanchard
Mountain Guide
www.barryblanchard.ca
www.yamnuska.com
_______________________________________________
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.
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