[MCR] Roger's Pass - Connaught Drainage

Subject: [MCR] Roger's Pass - Connaught Drainage
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2010 07:27:02 -0700
Spent the day on Dec 4th playing around on the West shoulder of Cheops.  Things 
are quite thin - the early season snowpack is still very prevalent.  I was 
finding less than 90cm in sheltered spots at treeline. We encountered pencil 
hard windslabs right on the crest proper.  There was between 0-30cm of low 
density snow sitting on top of this.  Made for some sporty up track building as 
we hugged the ridge to avoid any bigger (possible) windslabs.  On our descent 
we explored a little further and found (in that area) that the windslabs were 
confined to the ridge.  We did have some minor cracking with the windslab in 
areas where the snpk was thin (30-40cm) around rock outcrops.  Across the 
valley we could see a number of point releases to size 1 on solar aspects, as 
well as what looked like a thin slab release (S aspect) from a mid-slope rocky 
area around 2300-2400m. A guess at size was 1.5 but it appeared it ran a fair 
ways, maybe 150m.

The snowpack in the alpine has facetted quite a bit.  Very much a Rocky's 
snowpack - thin coverage and cool temps promoting the crystallization.  In many 
spots the pack did not carry skier weight as well as it did just a few days 
earlier.  Also there was surface hoar growth again - now 2 layers with variable 
distribution. That other one was buried with the last snowfall.  We didn't find 
it widespread, so it will take diligent looking to figure out where it lurks.

Still, good fun with early season exploring.  Lots of smiles again with the 
folks I ran into.  Quite busy, upwards of 50+ people in Connaught on Sat, 
possibly more on Sunday with the clear day.  We encountered no wind & a valley 
fog up to 2000m.

Trail in good shape (yes, still early season and a rock hop here & there is in 
order) and another fine day of stretching the legs.

Loks like some decent precip in the forecast which will change things by next 
weekend.  Tread carefully!

Dave Healey, ASG
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