[MCR] Roger's Pass, Connaught Creek

Subject: [MCR] Roger's Pass, Connaught Creek
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:57:29 -0800
had a good day in Hospital bowl, with generally good conditions.  

we did encounter a new snow instability in an area with recent windloading.  in 
a small gully leading down from the South ridge of Ursus Minor Peak, SE aspect, 
around 2500m, we had a skier accidental size 1.5, running on a thin crust with 
small facets above.  the crown was only 10-20cm deep where triggered, but 
pulled out deeper in a small, adjacent gully, aprox 40 -50 cm deep.  the slab 
was quite soft, but had just enough cohesion to propagate across the entire 
gully, then pick up mass and eventually stop mid fan in Ursus Minor Bowl.  we 
had expected to have some reaction with the new load, as we had a moderate 
clean hand shear in similar snow conditions in a wind loaded feature around 
2300m.  first person entering the gully initiated a good ski cut across to the 
far side with no reaction.  it was the 2nd person in who triggered it, with the 
fracture initiating at the skis, then pulling out above the traverse line aprox 
1-2m.  the skier was able to ski to one side & allow the mass to pass by 
harmlessly.  see first pic.

a little bit of a heads up that there isolated areas of poor bond with this new 
snow, and that the soft slab is good skiing, but is maintaining enough cohesion 
to help with propagation in isolated areas.

video peak was well skied today, with upwards of 15+ riders making their mark.  
many a random shriek of joy reverberated around the bowl today. see the 2nd pic

dave healey, sg

image/jpg


image/jpg








_______________________________________________
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.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml/unsubscribe to remove your name from 
this list.