[MCR] Rockies, Mt Columbia

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

I guided an ascent of Mt Columbia via the Athabasca Glacier, May  
15-17. There is great snow coverage on the Athabasca Glacier and we  
were able to ski towing sleds from the toe. The road is not open as  
of today, May 17th, so you have to carry down, and back up, it.

We passed the first step of the 'Headwall' on the climber's right,  
the second on climber's left, and the third up the 'Ramp' on May 15th.

May 16th we skied away from our highcamp (3 kms south of Snowdome) at  
5 am and got to Mt Columbia about a half hour behind my fellow  
guides, Conrad Jansen and Simon Robins, and their 4 guests. They were  
nice enough to kick steps up the SE ridge for us. The ridge has seen  
several recent ski descents (the face too). Great step kicking  
conditions and a nice calm time on top.

May 17th, 20 cms of snow overnight with moderate southwest winds.  
Whiteout navigation to the top of the Ramp were the wind had scoured  
out a lot of crevasse openings, portals to the underworld. Strong SW  
winds at ridgetop. We scooted out skiers left through lots of recent,  
and spooky, serac debris off of Snowdome. Those seracs seem to be  
quite active, and big, as of late.

Happy trails,

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


Conrad and Simon heading up to kick steps for us.

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