Hi all,
I guided 2 guests up the south ridge of Gimli Peak in Valhalla Provincial Park yesterday August 8. We had very warm Alpine temperatures, clear smoky skies and light to moderate winds from the West. The route was completely dry and in perfect shape. The descent down the East Ridge is now free of snow. It was a relatively quiet day up there, we were lucky to have the route to ourselves. There were another parties on the West Face and on nearby Niselheim Peak.
The Gimli campsite is in good shape. There is still a very good water trickle about 100m below the east side of the camping area. The resident goats are plentiful and uncomfortably tame again this year. To help with this growing problem, please use the toilet facility at all time specially for urinating and any grey water.
The road to the parking lot is in good shape despite the numerous deep water-bars and is best suited for high clearance 4X4. A modern SVU will probably get you there but not without scraping or potential damage to your vehicle. Going up there with inadequate vehicle is risky and contribute to deteriorating road condition.
Hoping that the weekend cold front helps dissipate the smoke!
Cheers,
David Lussier
acmg/ifmga
summitmountainguides.com