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
The final belay beside the serac. _______________________________________________
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.
|