[MCR] Selkirk Mountains - Rogers Pass - Asulkan Valley -Dome Col - Nov.25/26

Just some info from a different region of Rogers Pass. I have been up the Asulkan valley over the last 2 days in the area of Dome Pk.

 

Nov.25 was a foggy in and out day which made route finding in the Alpine a bit tricky and reliant on local knowledge. Snowpack was somewhat deeper than the Connaught drainage on this wind sheltered aspect of Asulkan Brook (approx. 200cm.). Once you were above the Treeline elevations there was 15-25cms of soft snow over a previously wind affected snowpack from last week’s wind events. For the most part the wind effected snow was supportive but not overly stiff (4F) until you were in the higher alpine (2500m +).

 

Probing showed it to be a generally strong snowpack – the Nov.6 crust was down at least 120cms in the Alpine. No Whumps or cracking were observed, nor were there any recent avalanches.

 

The only real change on the 26^th was a dusting of large snowflakes (stellar) overnight which may be a reactive interface once buried, and a clearer cooler day in general – no surface hoar was observed on the surface.

 

I noted some tracks that had ascended/descend to Saphire Col on the 25^th (the foggy day) – from our vantage it was clear that both the up and down tracks crossed several sagging bridges on the lower glacier, something that may not have been obvious in the fog – if you follow this route a rope may be a prudent tool at this time of season.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that creek crossings of the Aslukan brook are limited to the head of the mousetrap at this time of year – so if you skied to the bottom of the Dome runs – you would likely be facing an open ck crossing at the end of the day.

 

Cheers,

Scott Davis

ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide

 

 

_______________________________________________
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.