[MCR] Gimli Peak / Valhallas - Rock Fall Incident

I guided the S. Ridge on Gimli yesterday as a day trip from Nelson.

 

 

There was a party ahead who while traversing towards the summit knocked an ~80 lb. block off which fell the full length of the west face and missed hitting hikers below by 5m.  The rock smashed into pieces on impact and miraculously no one was hit but one hiker fell off the trail and took a good tumble down the talus slope.  This was a frighteningly close call.  I spoke with the hikers who seemed pretty shaken up.

 

Climbers doing the S. Ridge should be reminded that along with the frequent hikers who walk out to the Nisleheim col, there are now more and more parties on west face routes (as there was yesterday).  Climbers who show up with the "Select Climbs of the West" guidebook don't seem to realize this. 

 

When traversing the peak to reach the descent after climbing the S. Ridge, please tread carefully as there are loose blocks that can easily be dislodged and the safety of those below relies on your diligence.  Write down your intended route in the log at the trailhead so other climbers know where you are.

Hikers - please do not linger under the west face and be aware of overhead hazard.  Spacing your party out while traversing to the col is a good idea as is communicating your intentions with climbers.

 

Conditions:

 

The descent was snow free with the exception of some nice boot skiing snow patches at the bottom.  Whoever left their crazy carpet behind - I have it.

 

The camping area know as The Beach was looking great with the new large food storage locker and fixed wire for hanging packs.  There is still a steady flow of water near the trail close to camp. There were 2 parties already camped up there with another 15 or so folks hiking up to camp for the weekend.  The parking lot was full when we left - bring your own chicken wire if planning to stay overnight.

 

Back in the Mulvey Basin, the main lake is still mostly ice.

 

The access road is the worst I've seen it with some large rutted sections that seemed noticeably worse at the end of the day after all the weekend traffic drove up.  One couple in a Tercel were abandoning their car 4.5 kms from the parking lot.  My Subaru Forester was fine but I wouldn't recommend anything less. 

 

More photos at www.facebook.com/mountainsense

 

Cheers,

Shaun King  ACMG / UIAGM Mountain Guide

www.mountainsense.ca 

 

 

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