Climbed Christmas Present on Mt. Rundle in a stiff breeze today. Not a snowflake to move around within at least a kilometer and basically no water running even in the middle of the day.
The ice was pretty thin down low. Climbable and kinda fun, but rather serious with no decent gear. I had pins, clever wee cams and stubbies but was pretty much dreaming that the few pieces I got in would have held a real fall. Can't really reccommend it to smart people.
Everything else looked even more anorexic and the Trophy Wall needs a little more time to be pure ice climbing country. Ten Years After is probably fattest but also has some growing up to do.
Larry Stanier
Mountain Guide