Athelstan driving aproach

[kroc]

Im thinking about trying the moonraker. Does getting there still require a 4WD HC vehicle? We will have a ford focus, and the driver would prefer not to punish the car to badly. While Im at it, how steep is the descent snow ramp? And how feasible is it to summit Athelstan from the top of moonraker and what would that entail? Thanks for any info.

[G-spotter]

Ya, you need 4wd HC at the moment for the last couple of kms, or at least HC. See recent trip reports for Athelney Pass/Salal Creek:

 

http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=32371&SearchTerms=athelney

 

http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31794&SearchTerms=athelney

 

The descent has up to 40 degree slopes near the top. Right now it's pretty much bare ice due to the hot summer.

 

Here's the view to the summit of Athelstan from the top of Moonraker:

 

 

 

If you cross the mostly flat glacier and gain the west ridge (right skyline) at the toe, it's 3rd class to the top.

[genepires]

that is a mighty purty picture.

[G-spotter]

& see also

 

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/international/canada/british_columbia/106420264

[Matt Kidd]

Beware rockfall in the descent gulley. Should be an obvious point but it almost got me so I feel compelled to mention it.

Edited September 8, 2009 by Matt Kidd

[kroc]

Thanks for the beta.

[edegiuli]

Here is a photo of the descent couloir from August 18, this year:

 

 

It was mostly bare, and the lower half looked like ice covered with debris.