Bow Falls Ice Climb

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Bow Falls Ice Climb

Ice conditions

Name of climb
Bow Falls
Ice quality was:
Good
Wind was:
  • Blowing snow above the climb
  • Blowing snow across the valley
  • Blowing snow on the climb
  • Forming cornices

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
  • Stormy
  • Warm
  • Windy

Comments

Skied in and climbed two laps of Bow Falls on Monday. Clear in AM becoming very stormy as day progressed with falling/blowing snow, and non-stop spindrift. Very alpine feel! SIGNIFICANT- EXTREME CORNICE formation above climbs on far right side - Large growth in middle - no exposure once in left hand gully and climbing. No cornice dropping observed, only sprindriff/sluffs. Ice fair-great, some amazing glacier clear blue ice in gully- see photo. Rappelled down and skied out. Did discover rumoured water/ice cave on rappel close to base of upper falls (right against base transition of snow shelf to ice) as I was going off rappel, my feet kicked through to a big cavern- secured myself with a ice screw - highly recommend this for added safety. Blowing snow became extreme with high wind as we left, visibility very poor.