[MCR] Lake O'Hara Popes Peak

Subject: [MCR] Lake O'Hara Popes Peak
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 22:28:49 -0600
Friends Jason, Kendra and I climbed the Murray Toft classic N Face couloir on 
Popes Peak today.

Overall, we experienced a settled and supportive snow pack where the depth was 
more than 1m. The couloir has slid to Sz 2 during the last storm cycle. There 
is a runnel up to 1m deep in the centre of the couloir. There was some small 
rockfall throughout the day caused by melting of ice on the rockwalls each 
side. The crux was 10m of near vertical snice. It was possible to get a piton 
before the crux.  The serac is foreboding and we spent little time exiting on 
easier ice to the left.

The rappels down the E ridge are in good shape.  Only one had to be dug out of 
the snow. The descent slopes took great steps.

The snow around the Narao shoulder was the least favourite part of the descent. 
A wet and unsupportive thin snowpack.  

Brent Peters
Apprentice Alpine Guide
CAA Level 2
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

Sent from my iPhone

JPEG image

The final belay beside the serac.
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