Spent Jan 2 and 3 in the Rogers Pass area. We skied Corbin Pass
(treeline S aspect) and McGill Shoulder (treeline W aspect). Max
elevation was 2100m.
Up to 10 cm low density snow fell during the 2 days. Max temps of
about -2. Light winds not transporting snow.
At Corbin there was up to 120cm of Fist resistance gradually
stiffening to Pencil resistance snow atop a few cm of 1 Finger
resistance rounding facets; this combination lay atop the December 5
crust which was also 1 Finger and had facetted but had larger grains
than the layer above. Some minor wind effect at ridgeline on McGill
shoulder but no real slabbing was noted once we dropped into our line.
The November crust was alive and well at the base of the snowpack at
Corbin, 50 cm of facetting crust lying on the ground.
We could not find any shears in 2 test profiles in the Corbin area.
No cracking or whumpfing and no recent avalanches observed.
We skied treeline like it was Moderate danger, mostly due to feeling
out of touch with the mountains after a week of eating and lazing on
the couch. We limited our exposure to large features and skied one at
a time when we were close under the bowl on McGill (we avoided skiing
in the bowl). Below Treeline felt like it was Low.
Mark Klassen
Mountain Guide
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These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
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