[MCR] Athabasca, Jasper Park, June 11-12

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Myself and Ben Firth guided 4 clients in the Athabasca / Icefields area June
11-12.  Lots of snow still for this time of year.  Mainly sunny conditions
and a light breeze made for pleasant days.  Today (June 12) we climbed
Boundary Peak via the North Glacier and the Athabasca-Boundary Col, and
descended the scree/snow on the north side of Boundary Peak back to the
climber's parking lot on the snow coach access road.  Not much freeze on
Saturday night, leading to a bit of post-holing to the knees for a short
while, at around 2500m.  Travel was generally good and supportive above
2600m on the North Glacier on Athabasca, with good snow coverage (see
photos).  No boot skiing to be found on the way down from the peak, with
soft, isothermal snow resulting in knee to crotch deep steps.  Travel was
fine on the adjacent scree slope.  Photos of the Silverhorn, upper North
Face, and the Ramp routes on Athabasca are also attached.  A guided party
took a straight line up to the rock notch on the north face today.  There
was also a zig-zag track up the north face from a previous party (see
photo).

 

There is a lot of snow in the Icefields area.  Crevasses are well hidden,
and many snow bridges are soft and weak.  We also noted recent loose, wet
snow avalanche activity on most aspects, and observed a south facing basin
on Snowdome spitting out numerous size 2+ avalanches over the two days that
we were in the area.

 

Jordy Shepherd, ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide

Ben Firth, ACMG Assistant Alpine Guide

www.PeakAlpine.com

 

 

 

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