[MCR] Rockies, A2

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

I guided an ascent of A2 via the Athabasca/Boundary Col and lower North Athabasca Glacier yesterday, June 11h. The snows of June 9th and 10th have coated the glaciers with a fresh meringue of 20-40 cms of new snow. The ascent was hard physical work due to post-holing right from the glacier's tongue (snow everywhere on on every slope). On the positive side it was easy to get up and down the steep "ice tongue" on the lower North Glacier because of deep positive steps.

Point release avalanches started running with direct sun exposure, I suspect this will be more widespread on the next sunny warm day. Wind slabs were present above 2700 metres and I'd be wary of them on Mt Athabasca.

A fellow guide made an ascent of A2 via the Boundary Glacier yesterday, we shook hands on top.

Happy trails,

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