The Great Divide Traverse completed
For those of you who are not aware of the grandaddy of all North American ski traverses, it is the "Great Divide Traverse" from Jasper to Lake Louise. It typically takes three weeks to complete the 320Km route. It has only been completed a handful of times (9 to be exact) and most recently it was completed just last week by three adventurous guys. The Traverse was fist completed in 1967 by Don Gardner, Charlie Locke, Neil Liske and Chic Scott in 21 days thanks to their streak of sunny, storm-free weather. There was even a solo completion in 2007 by Janes Ales in just 17 days.
1967 - Don Gardner, Charlie Locke, Neil Liske and Chic Scott.
The Route.
Have a read over the brief account of the latest successfull Grand Traverse below:
Hi guys
Three of us just completed Great Divide Traverse last Sunday.4/21 to 5/13.
It took 22days (stuck 2nights at Wates Gibson hut due to heavy rain
and mountain top freezing level).
We could trace newer high line variation which is described in the
latest Summits and icefields by Chic and Mark.
High line is much more vertical but as book said more direct, less
slog and better view (which we couldn't see in white out most of
times).
I think snow condition won't be useful anymore especially Northern and
Central rocky part which is already 2-3weeks ago so little bit about
Southern part.
When we went through Southern part (Columbia icefields to Wapta) on
5/5-5/13, the snow coverage was very good on all glacier and
still OK in valley bottom (Alexandra river and Blaeberry).
We had a good melt freeze cycle, except kept everything frozen due to
cold wind from north on 5/10-11.
Most of place in Wapta had wind effected but sheltered high elevation
area was still dry good snow condition.
We took a Niles creek direct down exit from Daly/Niles col around
11am-12 on 5/12.
There were couple big slide debris almost reach to valley bottom from
skier's left but looks still lots of hang fire too.
Top couple cm was melted and perfect corn snow condition.
Steep slope near very bottom of creek was almost no snow so one of us
needed to take skis off.
Sharebrook lake was still well frozen and couple dirt patches appeared
on summer trail but didn't need to take skis off.
If anybody has a plan to go next year, we are more than happy to share
the info / beta so please let us know.
Now we are ready for the summer!
Thanks,
Yuji Akiyama,HG,CAA2
Martin Lefebvre, HG,CAA2
Ali Hogg, HG,CAA1