The rest of the route was dry. there is water (presently) just above the col where the scrambly trail starts...should last a while yet. One other spot on the ridge we turned on the left crossed a patch of snow then regained the ridge. Most of the pitched belays were within an arm length of a snow patch to grab a handful of snow!
The backside is bone dry. There is some water lower down on the decent where the trail comes close to a stream. It was very busy on the route on Saturday with 10-15 parties.
On another note just in case you did not know, the Cavell road will be tentatively closed as of September 7th this fall. They are re-paving the road and doing prep work.
If you have plans for a September climb on Cavell or are planning a trip to the Tonquin, you will have to go in via Portal Creek. Essentially the route on Cavell is good till September 6...unless of course these perfect conditions change before then!
Of course this could change due to scheduling and such, so contact Parks Canada in Jasper if you have any questions or to check for last minute changes in early September.
Peter Amann
Mountain Guide
pamann@incentre.net