-
9044 Hits
-
73.79% Score
-
4 Votes
Page Type:
|
Route |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
52.17630°N / 117.2347°W |
Route Type:
|
Mountaineering |
|
Time Required:
|
A long day |
|
Difficulty:
|
Crevassed Glacier |
|
Grade:
|
II |
|
Overview
On the Upper Athabasca GlacierThough it is probably the easiest route on the mountain as far as technical difficulties are concerned, the heavily crevassed approach to the South Ridge makes it a hazardous undertaking best done early in the season before most of the crevasses are open.
W.R. Hainsworth, J.F. Lehman, M.M. Strumia, and N.B. Waffl made the first ascent of Mount Andromeda via the Athabasca Glacier and South Ridge in July of 1930.
Approach
Ramp from Athabasca Glacier onto Columbia Icefield
View down Athabasca GlacierNote crevasses.
Slopes from Icefield to peakThe South Ridge is accessed via the Athabasca Glacier. One could start from the toe of the glacier, but most parties will probably start from the Snocoach staging area thus saving a lot of glacier trudging. The objective is to climb the headwall of the glacier onto the Columbia Icefield in order to obtain the South Ridge. It is best to stay center or climber's left as much as possible since the right is threatened by seracs above the cliffs on Snow Dome.
Route Description
View up the South Ridge - the small col in the foregroundOnce on the icefield, ascend to the small col between Andromeda and unnamed point 3330 m.
From this col, the ridge is followed to the summit. Climbing is without difficulty along mostly gentle to moderately steep snow. Late in the season, there may be some rock patches to cross.
Time for most parties is 5 to 7 hours from the parking area.
Climbing on the South Ridge:
