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Tuesday, October 31, 2006

[MCR] K-Country ice conditions

The following are some various ice conditions. The only one I actually climbed is R&D today. The others are based on viewing them from either the road or other vantage points.
 
R&D: In good early season shape (Oct 31) and has seen lots of traffic. It offers good hooking on dry ice on the lower half then very wet plastic ice on the upper half. It will take 16cm screws anywhere. The cold temps (-14C @ 13:30 at the base of the route) combined with the dripping wet ice makes the ropes icy very quickly. Beware of rappel ropes freezing to the ice surface. Pull them immediately. The approach has a well beaten trail.
 
Other conditions:
 
Chalice and the Blade / Spoon and Lone Ranger: Not formed
 
Parallel Falls: Not formed
 
Trick or Treat: It's formed but the 4 hour approach over snowy frozen scree might not be worth it.
 
Cabrio and Centaur: Far from being formed as viewed from Wind Tower on Oct 24
 
Arterial Spurt: Just a thin veneer as viewed from Heart Mountain on Oct 26
 
Whiteman's Falls: A waterfall in the most truest since of the word as in lots of gushing water.
 
Happy ice hunting,
 
Sean Isaac