Basic Alpine Climb - Lundin Peak/West Ridge

Be very careful of cornices!  The greatest risks included possible cornice failure and post-holing deeply.  The steep snow on the typically easy ridge scramble (to the short fifth class pitch) created a challenge.  We protected a few bonus, short (less than half rope length) pitches in order to access the few 5th class moves along the ridge proper.  Because the group of students had very little experience, the decent took a long time.  Between rappelling and protected down-climbing (hand lines and belaying), the descent along the ridge back to the snow was time consuming.  Overall, it certainly was a full value day!