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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1197 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2010 : 09:54 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Sodbuster
June 6,7,8, 2010 Mt Romulus CG and a sidetrip up to Talus Lake. (tagging along with my son's outdoor ed class)
http://claytonditzler.zenfolio.com/p520643178
Part way to Talus Lake the snow obscures the trail (some still hip deep in places) but it's doable. Doubtful that I'll get around to a TR anytime soon but thought some might want to see some current conditions.
Awesome photos Clayton! I especially like this one:
http://claytonditzler.zenfolio.com/p520643178/e6d3fbba |
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737 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2010 : 3:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Rachelo
These were taken out of a moving bus, so aren't great in quality, but hopefully can show you a little. I can send the high-res too if desired.
 
I was at point, but didn't get anything good looking up towards Three Isle. There's a lot of snow on the high peaks, but it was dry around Upper Kan. We had precipitation hit us in the form of halfway between snow and rain, so i suspect it was snowing at Three Isle. The weather was coming from there, so didn't have a view most of the time, and I failed to take any photos in the correcct direction. I have shots of Indefatigable and Lyautey if they'd do you any good.
Rachelo, you're a gem! Doesn't look like anyone has to worry too much about avalanche conditions on Kidd north. Your first photo is most helpful (never mind taking it from a bus!).
Peakbagger13: Let us know as early as you can what the conditions are like...I won't be able to go up until you've already been. |
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Calgary
165 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2010 : 08:50 AM
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Kidd North - not sure that there is no avi danger on this one as there looks to still be a fair bit of snow higher up. That wet heavy stuff may go later in the day and it all funnels down into the lower area. I would be careful and alert to temp and snow conditions at the time.
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Calgary, Alberta
47 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2010 : 1:08 PM
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| I agree with Bill on that. A lot of caution required with high heavy snow above. Hopefully a bunch of this moves tomorrow, but it mat may be Sunday before it is good to go (if that). Kidd offers big terrain traps and hidden moats. |
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Calgary, Alberta
47 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2010 : 1:27 PM
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Rachelo's picture of upper Kidd Face
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737 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2010 : 4:00 PM
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I will have to re-read Kane's description...I was under the impression that the avalanche danger was from the snow above and to climber's right (south) of the gulley as seen in Rachelo's photo #1.
If the avalanche danger exists from the snow on the upper portion of the scramble then I've misread Kane's entry.
If too much danger still exists, then I may opt for the south summit.
Thank you for your thoughts and input,
Granticulus |
Edited by - Granticulus on 06/10/2010 4:01 PM |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
123 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2010 : 11:14 PM
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| Thx for the input. The plan at this point is to go early Sunday morning (leave Calgary at 4) and take a look. If and only if we are comfortable with conditions then we will give it a go. At least until the spidy senses start tingling. Either way I will post a note when we get back. |
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Calgary, Alberta
47 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2010 : 09:06 AM
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Granticulus,
you probably have more danger from avalanche activity lower down on Climbers Left on ascent, from the big slopes above and to the left. That being said, sluffing and slabs on the upper part of the scrambling route, do slide. I have seen the debris. Also, this route has many hidden moats. Keep your ears perked for the sound of rushing water underneith the snow.
And
Have a great day out there |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1197 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 9:25 PM
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You may not get this in time but here's a very cropped shot of Kidd as of today.
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287 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2010 : 10:35 PM
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Hi,
I was thinking of going to Jasper in the next week and thought of maybe hiking to the Tekarra campground and scrambling Tekarra, Centre Mountain, and Excelsior over 2 1/2 days pending conditions and other logistics. Does anyone know of snow levels on these mountains above Tekarra campground? Just wondering if these would be doable with simple ice axe and crampons or would the routes maybe require ropes etc. As always, feedback is well appreiciated. Would also be open to any trip companions as well. |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
23 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2010 : 3:42 PM
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I hiked to Landslide Lake June 13-15, 2010 via the Cline River route. The lake still has snow on it. The last km of the trail had quite a lot of snow, so it slowed us down with post-holing. It should be fine there by now! It's probably still too early to get there via Wild Horse Pass.
I've attached a photo of the lake:
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| Engor
Intermediate Member
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Calgary
840 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 11:56 AM
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Went up to Devil's Thumb early morning on Sun. The route is free of snow if you take Highline trail to Big Beehive. Deep and icy snow on the more popular trail to Big Beehive from Lake Agnes. The steep ascent gully to Devil's Thumb is completely free of snow.
Wanted to do Babel Tower in the afternoon but the upper section of the ascent gully still holds some snow. Didn't dare to venture there without an ice-axe. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3796 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 1:08 PM
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| I hiked in the sheep river valley on saturday. No snow in the earlier foothills, even in shady sections, but definitely on the peaks further in. We were hit with a blasting thunderstorm that left the formerly almost-dry trails as flowing rivers. Expect a good bit of mud, unless it's solid sun this week. |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
797 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 2:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Engor
Wanted to do Babel Tower in the afternoon but the upper section of the ascent gully still holds some snow. Didn't dare to venture there without an ice-axe.
I went up Saturday evening because I thought it did look pretty much free of snow!
There was just one 3m long patch, if you wanted you could avoid this completely. I would call it free of snow. Ice axe definitely not needed. |
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| Engor
Intermediate Member
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Calgary
840 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 2:50 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by booewen
I went up Saturday evening because I thought it did look pretty much free of snow!
There was just one 3m long patch, if you wanted you could avoid this completely. I would call it free of snow. Ice axe definitely not needed.
Too bad for me! I got impression of much more snow being there while looking at Babel Tower from a driving car on Moraine Lake Road. I made a mistake not walking on Consolation Lakes Trail for a couple hundred meters and inspecting the gully from a closer distance. A hike to Eiffel Lake (still ice-covered) wasn't as enjoyable as a scramble of Babel Tower could have been. |
Edited by - Engor on 06/21/2010 2:59 PM |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 3:41 PM
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| I tried the Nihahi Ridge traverse again on Saturday. The last attempt ended after the wind got too strong about 2 km along the ridge, going north. This was our third attempt in two years....and it ended at the start of the ridge proper, where there was a foot of wet snow on the slabs, from the very top to the bottom, 500 m or more below. I'd hoped that the top of the ridge might have been blown clear or melted out by the wind and sun, but instead it was immaculately plastered. An ice axe was demonstrably useless - it wouldn't catch anything on the wet, loose snow over rock. There were also some big thunderstorms passing by then, and so we ran down off the ridge to the east as fast as we could, eventually linking up with Knoll Trail. It was a fun half-day, but I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever stand on the north summit! |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
617 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 12:27 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Joe L
...I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever stand on the north summit!
Stoopid snow! :D If you want a much shorter and pleasant access to the north summit of Nihahi, go in the way we did (my second time bagging it) - you can even combine with Compression Ridge for a great two peak outing. Details at http://www.explor8ion.com/vern/scrambles/compression/compression.html |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
253 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2010 : 07:30 AM
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I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Kananaskis. I'm surprised how much snow there still is around there, I kind of figured most at the lower elevations would be gone by now.
We went up to Chester Lake and the Three Lakes Valley with a couple friends to introduce them to hiking. The Chester Lake Trail is mostly dry with a few patches of snow and mud over the last kilometre before Chester Lake. The snow was pretty consistently 1/2 to 1 metre deep between Chester Lake and the Lake 1. Between Lake 1 and 2 it alternated between scree and a metre of snow. We didn't go past the second lake because there was too much snow! I think I did a good job breaking trail, between our group and a few others packing it down, it should be easy enough to follow! Spring growth was just starting -- my guess is it will look spectacular in about 2 weeks.
Sunday we visited Rawson Lake, along with a hundred other people, to stretch out our legs before driving back to Edmonton. The trail was dry until the last 500m before the lake, which was quite muddy in places. There's still snow around the lake, but you could still get around to the far side. The Upper Lake shoreline trail is closed west of the Rawson Lake fork as well. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1197 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2010 : 07:38 AM
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| I wonder if that Upper Kananaskis Trail closure is due to a bear? The Calgary Outdoor Club trail run trip on Saturday ran into a Grizzly feeding on some animal carcass right on the trail. I hear it was just a little past the Rawson Lake turn off this Saturday morning. They reported it to the warden. |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
253 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2010 : 08:54 AM
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I do believe it said the Upper Lake Trail closure was due to bear activity. The trail was roped off with tape at the Rawson fork. However, there was no indication of the closure at the Upper Lake day use area parking lot.
It would be a bit of scare to see a bear feeding on carcases on the trail. Good thing its closed for now. |
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Alberta Recent conditions reports
