Steve Holeczi and myself spent the last couple days climbing the east
ridges of Mt. Sorrow and Mt. Edith Cavell in Jasper. Here is what we
found:
Weather: Hot, clear weather with some afternoon thundershowers and no
overnight freezes. This made for poor conditions on mixed and snow and ice
routes, but comfortable climbing on the rock, even at high elevations.
Route conditions:
Mt. Sorrow - Snow-free on the ascent and a nice snow gully to save our knees for the descent. This route is a nicely stepped quartzite ridge with great views of the NF of Edith
Cavell. We used the approach route to the NF of Edith Cavell and gained
the ridge from there.
Edith Cavell - East ridge is in good shape with some snow patches and overhanging
cornices left along the route. Crampons would be useful for the firm snow on the approach slopes to the col and ice axes were helpful in places on the ridge proper. The NF looked
quite dry and icy for this time of year, and did not seem like a good idea given the current high temperatures.
ridges of Mt. Sorrow and Mt. Edith Cavell in Jasper. Here is what we
found:
Weather: Hot, clear weather with some afternoon thundershowers and no
overnight freezes. This made for poor conditions on mixed and snow and ice
routes, but comfortable climbing on the rock, even at high elevations.
Route conditions:
Mt. Sorrow - Snow-free on the ascent and a nice snow gully to save our knees for the descent. This route is a nicely stepped quartzite ridge with great views of the NF of Edith
Cavell. We used the approach route to the NF of Edith Cavell and gained
the ridge from there.
Edith Cavell - East ridge is in good shape with some snow patches and overhanging
cornices left along the route. Crampons would be useful for the firm snow on the approach slopes to the col and ice axes were helpful in places on the ridge proper. The NF looked
quite dry and icy for this time of year, and did not seem like a good idea given the current high temperatures.
Ian Jackson
ACMG Aspirant Guide
Visitor Safety Technician
Banff, Yoho, & Kootenay National Parks
