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Just returned from a CAA level 2 out of Golden so
we had LOTS of observations from the N and NE corner of the Purcells and 1 day
in Rogers Pass and 1 in Lake Louise Backcountry.
The big concern we observed in all these areas that
is likely to persist for awhile is a suncrust down between 40-70cms on
steep South and Southwest slopes at all elevations. This has a weak layer of
facets on top of it in some places we tested. It is tricky to test for
as You will not find it in safe test sites(low angles or in shady
forest cover). It also doesn't tend to produce noticeable whumphs as it fails
fairly quitely as a thin layer sometimes will. The downhill skiing is
terrible with a new suncrust on top of the south facing
terrain but be aware of it when thinking of ascending these
slopes.
We were starting to feel pretty comfortable on
simple planar N and NE facing features but rocky and shallow snowpack areas are
still a concern in all the areas we visited for a variety of
reasons.
Larry Stanier
Mountain Guide
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