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Spent the weekend in Rogers Pass skiing in the Connaught valley on Saturday and Asulkan drainage on Sunday.
Percent of drainage observed/visibility: Saturday: 30%, 500-1500m in snow and fog; Sunday 85%, 2-3 km in mist and flat light.
Avalanches: None observed except for sluffing in steep terrain.
Weather: On Saturday it snowed hard all day with moderate west winds that were transporting snow, max of -8. On Sunday there had been 15 cm of low density snow in the previous 24 hours and it was calm in the Asulkan valley, although reports indicated continued moderate westerlies in Connaught. Continued cool temps.
Snowpack: Generally about 40 cm of unconsolidated snow on the surface overlying a hard base. Some weaker "facetty" decomposed crystals about 35 cm down, above the harder snow. In Connaught there was an instability noted in this weak layer (compression test moderate, 11 hits, sudden planar). This instability was not found in the Asulkan. Some localised soft wind slabs were noted on the surface in Connaught but not in the Asulkan.
Terrain considerations/use: We skied runs at a treeline elevation both days, avoiding upper elevations due to poor visibility and the concern of wind slabs. In Connaught we avoided convexities on the crossloaded ridges that are a hallmark of that valley. The more protected basins were untouched by the wind. Asulkan had far less wind effect and we skied a steep moraine line. Excellent skiing both days.
Danger ratings for Sunday afternoon: Alpine was not observed but suspect Moderate. Treeline Moderate. Below Treeline Low.
Rogers Pass is approximately 800 km southeast of Kitwanga. Mark Klassen Mountain Guide www.alpinism.com 403-760-3337
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