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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

[MCR] David Thompson Country - June 20, 21, 2009

Spent the weekend in David Thompson Country doing a Scrambles Leadership
course for the Calgary Section of the ACC. I was a bit surprised to see how
much snow still remains in the area but I guess I shouldn't be given what is
going on everywhere else. Much like the front ranges in Jasper, the south
aspects are about as dry as they usually are in June.

Looking at the north aspects of things south of the North Saskatchewan River
it looks a lot like the aerial photo I posted of the Jasper area front
ranges a week ago. Other aspects still had snow in gully features that would
normally be dry at this time of year. Those familiar with DT country know
this place is a massive rain shadow and to have snow lingering at this time
of year is a bit odd here.

On Saturday scrambled up the two fore-peaks of Earnest Ross and only made a
total of ten steps in the snow to gain the second peak. Later in the weekend
I got a look at the north side of Mt. Cline which understandably looked very
white up high.

Abraham, Windy Slabs, the Kadoona Mountains, William Booth and Earnest Ross
Peak are all dry. Still a lot of leftover waterfall ice having around at Two
O'clock Falls... (no, not climbable!)

Also of note is the fact that there was recent controlled burning between
Saskatchewan Crossing and Whirlpool Point. Some stuff is still smoldering /
smoking and you may want to check into that before committing to an
objective in that area in the short term.

Cyril Shokoples MG

http://www.rescuedynamics.ca
http://www.rescuedynamics.com

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