Excellent mid-season like skiing on the Roberston Glacier today. Max temp –3 at the parking lot, Min temp –10 at the Robertson Col. Probed around on the glacier 120-160cm coverage with up to 220cm on the ‘steep’ slope. Compression Test on the hard side of moderate with a very resistant fracture character (progressive compression for those in the know) on the steep slope. Wind effect up high but barely a tickle on the skiing lines. Up to 30cm new snow, more in wind sheltered places. Evidence of an old cycle to size 1.5 or so out of the steep terrain off Sir Douglas. Not a crevasse in sight on the skiing lines, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Its been 12+ years since I’ve been up there in the summer to see what it’s really like.
Shin to knee deep ski penetration made for excellent skiing. Skis on parking lot to parking lot, only a few rocks encountered on the way out. Quite surprising how good the coverage was, but beware the wind, it could change fast. Snowing 2cm/hr at the parking lot when we left @ 4:45pm. Highly recommended day out, except for that flat ski in/out!
A U.S. party attempting the NW route on Sir Douglas today, hope they made out ok.
Ian Tomm