[MCR] Lower Victoria Glacier

Subject: [MCR] Lower Victoria Glacier
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2015 18:57:00 -0600
Went for a glacial tour yesterday June 3rd in the Lake Louise area. A few 
patches of snow still linger on the Plain of Six hikers trail. We split off and 
descended to the toe of the lower Vic glacier. Travel on the glacier to within 
sight of the Death Trap was surprisingly good, except near areas of exposed 
rock and where the snow pack was thin. Snow depth at our high point of 2250m 
was just over 1m. Crevasse bridges were weak and one from our team fell in a 
slot up to his ears. An important reminder to rope up on even the most benign 
looking glacier. 

We witnessed numerous avalanches coming off the east slopes of Victoria and 
debris was running across the entire width of the upper Death Trap (photo 
attached). 

We gained the end of the Swiss Guides Trail through a weakness in the lateral 
morraine and followed the Plain of Six trail back to the Lake. The Tea House 
was open for business and the staff said this was the earliest  opening ever. 

Light rain and low cloud for most of the day. 

JPEG image

Kris Irwin - ACMG Alpine Guide

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