We found Malignant Mushroom to be very affected by the sun and quite rotten. The climbing was positive but the gear required a lot of cleaning/digging and wasn't great in the end anyway. It might be better to leave this climb alone until it cools off and it can start to heal.
The driving was a bit sporty in a few places along the TransAlta road. The ice damn at the blue bridge is getting entertaining with two large holes you want to avoid and an off camber icy turn that wants to push the back end of the truck into a tree. We crept over it without chains and made it without incident but drove very slowly. "Stumpland" requires a high clearance vehicle or you will get high centered as the drifts are quite deep there. Once in the river valley it was straightforward to the South parking area. All driving on snow was quite tricky on the way out as the warm temperatures were turning the things isothermal by late morning.
Have fun!
Mike Stuart
ACMG Alpine/Assistant Ski Guide
Canadian Alpine Guides
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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.
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