[MCR] Rockies, Louise Group, Mt Victoria SE Ridge

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Jeff MacPherson and I paid a visit to Mt Victoria today via the South  
East ridge.

Temps at Lake Louise at 0330 were 6C with a warm downdraft from the  
Plain of Six. The Fuhrmann Ledges were dry and generally in good  
shape with a fairly good freeze overnight (at this elevation at  
least) providing excellent cramponing in firm snow up the final few  
hundred meters to Abbot Hut.  The west face of Lefroy looked in snowy  
condition, with extensive wet sluffing down the Normal Route in the  
last 24hrs or so. Temps at the hut at 0700 were 9C and we encountered  
very strong westerly gusting winds, though with no noticeable snow  
transport. Conditions high on the SE ridge looked as described in  
recent reports (i.e. spicy with lots of snow arete climbing) however  
we found all of the initial snow slopes isothermic down as much as  
1m. Temps at 0930 at ~3200m were 13C under intense bluebird skies and  
with highly unsupportive snow, so we turned tail at the rock step  
before the Sickle and were very happy to be off the slopes and back  
at the hut by 1030 when the snow had lost all cohesiveness.

Descending to Lake Oesa, there was still extensive snow in the  
skier's left gully, but the snow in the standard right-side gully can  
be avoided. Streams are pumping and mozzies are plentiful.


Carl Johnston
RG

Jeff MacPherson
ARG/ASG