Is it that difficult? I didn't know that. I thought that I read a story some time ago about these special vehicles (I can't remember what they are called) that travel over the ice in the Banff/Jasper NP area for the purpose of taking tourists to certain spots on the Columbia Icefield, & then from the icefield it looks like a Class 2 (or even a Class 1?) hike to the summit of Snowdome.That sounds a bit ambitious. IIRC to get to Snowdome, you first have to get up the crevassed and sadly diminished Athabasca Glacier to reach the Columbia Icefield, then tromp across that. People have done Columbia in a day, but I think that was on skis in spring. That said, the Columbia Icefield is unique and amazing, and you should try to see it if you can.
Banff, Jasper National Parks this summer
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ChrisG
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Re: Banff, Jasper National Parks this summer
"Is there any need to offer proof that this odious perversion of the law [socialism] is a perpetual source of hatred and discord; that it tends to destroy society itself? If such proof is needed, look at the United States [in 1850]. There is no country in the world where the law is kept more within its proper domain: the protection of every person's liberty and property. As a consequence of this, there appears to be no country in the world where the social order rests on a firmer foundation."
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Jon Frohlich
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Re: Banff, Jasper National Parks this summer
Yes, there are ice trucks that take tourists out on the Glacier. I don't know how that works with climbing a summit but they certainly do exist.ChrisG wrote:Is it that difficult? I didn't know that. I thought that I read a story some time ago about these special vehicles (I can't remember what they are called) that travel over the ice in the Banff/Jasper NP area for the purpose of taking tourists to certain spots on the Columbia Icefield, & then from the icefield it looks like a Class 2 (or even a Class 1?) hike to the summit of Snowdome.That sounds a bit ambitious. IIRC to get to Snowdome, you first have to get up the crevassed and sadly diminished Athabasca Glacier to reach the Columbia Icefield, then tromp across that. People have done Columbia in a day, but I think that was on skis in spring. That said, the Columbia Icefield is unique and amazing, and you should try to see it if you can.
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seano
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Re: Banff, Jasper National Parks this summer
When I was there (August 2014) it looked like the ice trucks just drove out a little ways onto the Athabasca Glacier. There was a funky crevasse field or icefall between that and the icefield itself, which I'm not sure they could drive.Jon Frohlich wrote:Yes, there are ice trucks that take tourists out on the Glacier. I don't know how that works with climbing a summit but they certainly do exist.
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martinleroux
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Re: Banff, Jasper National Parks this summer
No, it's not a class 2 hike, it's several miles of glacier travel with serious crevasse danger. The "ice explorer" buses don't go more than a mile from the toe of the glacier, and they stop at a little roped-off area that they don't allow people to step outside. And they cost about USD 70 per person. I've never heard of anyone using them on a climbing trip.ChrisG wrote:I thought that I read a story some time ago about these special vehicles (I can't remember what they are called) that travel over the ice in the Banff/Jasper NP area for the purpose of taking tourists to certain spots on the Columbia Icefield, & then from the icefield it looks like a Class 2 (or even a Class 1?) hike to the summit of Snowdome.
Have a look at https://www.brewster.ca/attractions-sig ... -adventure for a picture of where the buses stop and what lies beyond.
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josee menard
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Re: Banff, Jasper National Parks this summer
Mount Snowdome is easier than Mount Columbia. Although both can be done as day trips, Snowdome is much closer and technically easier; most people take 2 days for Columbia, it's much further and the climb is steeper requiring good and stable conditions (usually april/may). Climbers are now required to start at the toe of the glacier instead of the "climber's parking lot", this adds distance. Climbers rope up for the Columbia Glacier as there are many big crevasses, another hazard is the increasingly unstable seracs that roped teams must negotiate on their way up the headwall; leaving early before the sun basks the seracs is recommended. To see pictures of the Columbia Icefield and its approach go to: http://goldenscrambles.ca in the glacier/ski touring section!!
