I guided an ascent of Mt Columbia via the Athabasca Glacier, May 15-17. There is great snow coverage on the Athabasca Glacier and we were able to ski towing sleds from the toe. The road is not open as of today, May 17th, so you have to carry down, and back up, it.
We passed the first step of the 'Headwall' on the climber's right, the second on climber's left, and the third up the 'Ramp' on May 15th.
May 16th we skied away from our highcamp (3 kms south of Snowdome) at 5 am and got to Mt Columbia about a half hour behind my fellow guides, Conrad Jansen and Simon Robins, and their 4 guests. They were nice enough to kick steps up the SE ridge for us. The ridge has seen several recent ski descents (the face too). Great step kicking conditions and a nice calm time on top.
May 17th, 20 cms of snow overnight with moderate southwest winds. Whiteout navigation to the top of the Ramp were the wind had scoured out a lot of crevasse openings, portals to the underworld. Strong SW winds at ridgetop. We scooted out skiers left through lots of recent, and spooky, serac debris off of Snowdome. Those seracs seem to be quite active, and big, as of late.
Happy trails,
Barry Blanchard
Mountain Guide
www.barryblanchard.ca
www.yamnuska.com
Conrad and Simon heading up to kick steps for us.