[MCR] Rockies, Mt Athabasca AA Col

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

I guided an ascent of the AA Col today, July 25th. Overall good  
travel with a mild freeze that deepened the higher we went. We found  
challenging flat footing on a glassy bed surface just over the  
bergschrund courtesy of yesterday's solar sloughing. !00 meters above  
the schrund, and out climber's left to the route, the step kicking  
improved.

Spooky to see the recent avalanche activity on the north side from on  
high -one wind slab, and two serac calvings. We witnessed snow  
cleaning off of the east flank of the Silverhorn, and just north of  
the Andromeda Strain area once the sun had been on these areas for a  
bit. We also saw a cornice fail and strafe the first Snow and Ice  
Practice Gully (aka: Near Earth).

We descended the AA Col where the aforementioned glassy bed surface  
was still frozen at noon and not secure enough for us to move  
together. I lowered my guest one ropelength down the slipperiest bit.

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard
Mountain Guide
www.barryblanchard.ca
www.yamnuska.com




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