Hello,
We scrambled up Carnarvon yesterday. The normal route follows the south ridge, which looked very snowy from the road. We found that the ridge was mostly dry with some well settled snow patches along the way. We used an ice axe, but you can walk around most of the steep snow patches. On the final steep step, the gullies were snow free, but looked very scrappy. Looking around to the right side we found some solid steps on 4th class rock that brought us up to the main ridge.
The approach trail to Hamilton lake was in good condition and clear of snow. There was a bit of windfall to high-step over.
It was interesting to see that the flower season is already over on some sunny slopes at treeline. The glacier lilies are withering and the western anemone has gone to seed.
Helen Sovdat
Mountain Guide
