Skied up to Video Peak (in the Connaught drainage) today to do a fracture
line profile at a recent skier triggered avalanche (see photo). Failure
occurred on a facet layer above a crust, down 20 - 40 cm. Compression test
results were in the easy range.
Variable ski quality, with a supportive crust under a dusting of new snow
on solar facing slopes, and boot top powder skiing in facetted snow on more
northerly aspects. It is a little sporty descending into the valley to get
back onto the trail out. Expect alder and some snow covered waterfall ice
in the exit gullies.
I noticed that people are starting to take a lower and lower line when
ascending up the Connaught Valley, at about 3km from the hotel. The slopes
off the north face of Cheops are holding snow at the moment, and could
result in sizeable avalanches if/when they release. It is more work to
stay high on the climber's right side of the valley near the forest trim
line (under the 'Xmas Trees') but it is also substantially safer.
Ski safe,
Jordy Shepherd
Mountain Guide
(See attached file: Video Peak - Glacier Park.jpg)
Video Peak - Glacier Park.jpg
Description: JPEG image
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