kroc Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepires Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 that is a mighty purty picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 & see also http://www.mountainproject.com/v/international/canada/british_columbia/106420264 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Kidd Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kroc Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 Thanks for the beta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edegiuli Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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