Went for a walk with our skis on up the Robertson Glacier yesterday.
Fast travel with a packed trail to the toe of the glacier then
horrendously slow travel up the glacier itself. Snow depth ranged from
4 to 40 cm, depending where in the well-formed sastrugi you decided to
probe. Near the top we found depths up to 140 cm. The small ice cliff,
half-way up the glacier on climber's right, appears to be quite active
since there is a bunch of ice debris scattered about.
Luckily, we had a premonition to pack ski crampons because we needed
them to ascend the steeper roll two-thirds of the way up. Ski crampons
on a north aspect in mid-February--who would have thought! Obviously,
ski quality was poor, unless bashing sastrugi moguls and skittering
around on bare glacial ice is your thing.
Sean Isaac
ACMG Assistant Alpine Guide
_______________________________________________
These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.