[MCR] Rockies, A2

Subject: [MCR] Rockies, A2
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 06:24:07 -0600
I guided an ascent of A2 via the Athabasca/Boundary Col and lower North 
Athabasca Glacier yesterday, June 11h. The snows of June 9th and 10th have 
coated the glaciers with a fresh meringue of 20-40 cms of new snow. The ascent 
was hard physical work due to post-holing right from the glacier's tongue (snow 
everywhere on on every slope). On the positive side it was easy to get up and 
down the steep "ice tongue" on the lower North Glacier because of deep positive 
steps.

Point release avalanches started running with direct sun exposure, I suspect 
this will be more widespread on the next sunny warm day. Wind slabs were 
present above 2700 metres and I'd be wary of them on Mt Athabasca.

A fellow guide made an ascent of A2 via the Boundary Glacier yesterday, we 
shook hands on top.

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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml/unsubscribe to remove your name from 
this list.