[MCR] Mt. Balfour, Wapta Icefields

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

> Spent a few days last week in the RJ Ritchie hut and climbed the North ridge of Mt. Balfour.

> 

> The 1904 route is mostly 3rd and 4th class with some easy ice/snow climbing towards the summit and has its fair share of questionable rock.  It was about 9 hours hut to hut and we descended the Southeast ridge until we could get back down to the glacier on the east side (normal ski ascent line).  This required 2 exciting rappels (ice anchors) into and out of a couple of filled in bergschrunds which provided the crux for the climb.  A recommended outing if you've done most of the classic ascents in the area.

> 

> As to be expected the glaciers are very dry with most crevasses being quite easy to spot with clear visibility.  The hut was in great shape.

> 

> Have fun!

> 

> Mike Stuart

> IFMGA Mountain Guide

> Mike at CanadianAlpineGuides.com

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> IMG_2559

>  

> 

> 

> 


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/mcr/attachments/20130908/ed2068a6/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: IMG_2559.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 252081 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/mcr/attachments/20130908/ed2068a6/attachment-0002.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: IMG_2552.jpeg
Type: image/jpg
Size: 187195 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/mcr/attachments/20130908/ed2068a6/attachment-0003.jpg>