GMC - July 31 - Citadel Mountain

The TNF group went to Citadel Mountain on their first day, when we took snow school. Their practice included kicking a set of beautiful steps heading up a steep snow arete on Citadel Mountain. We knew that today would be the last time this objective would be on the list, so we signed up. Despite the 4:30 am wake up, 5 am breakfast and 5:30 am start. (Wow, that's like half a day before my usual get up time!)

The summit ridge on Citadel Mountain. Exposed and exciting.

Angelika posing on the summit blocks.

Jan at the summit cairn :) Well done!

We left just as it started getting light out. A magical time in the mountains. Citadel was also all snow, but the summit was a rock.

It was a long walk over the Haworth glacier to Palisade Pass down to the Sir Sandford glacier and up Citadel. We took the same route back.

The weather was a bit concerning, but luckily it held on this day!

All around a great day was had by both rope teams lead by Andrew and Peter.

One of the impressive, exposed sections during the
ascent on the snow arete. (Photo by Ron Shute)

Threatening clouds rolled in while we were on the summit.
Clouds really do move fast when you are at 2,923 m,
and the weather  can change in a heartbeat.