With the below-average snowpack disappearing in the summer heat, it is no wonder that snow faces have now become quite icy. In some cases, the ice is melting right out and exposing loose, fragile rocky slopes. The south face of Mt Rogers and the couloirs on the Swiss Peaks have very little snow left on them, and the larger snow/ice face looks like it has only a few years left of ice.

The gullies on Mt Macdonald are pretty dry, with an ugly brown-streaked Herdman Couloir holding the last of the snow/ice up there. Rockfall down the Herdman is a real hazard at the moment.

On the positive side, the rock ridges are in great shape for a fun alpine day of climbing!

Chris Gooliaff
Parks Canada Visitor Safety