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Hello Everybody Today we skied Little Sifton at Rogers Pass. Climbed to the peak via
Grizzly Shoulder. Due to less snowpack in lower elevations it was a little
though going at the lower elevations, mostly near Connaught Creek. On the way
down we skied via Grizzly Bowl to Connaught Creek and back to Rogers Pass. The
snow-conditions have been absolutely perfect in all elevations and skied
aspects. Just below tree-line we have observed some minor sun-crust in isolated
areas, showed only very minor effects on the skiing quality and only for a few
turns. Overall the upper snowpack has tightened up well since this past
weekend, showing 18 cm ski penetration and 30cm boot penetration. In most areas
(elevations and aspects) we have observed 5 mm Stellars overlaying a faceted
upper snowpack of up to 1mm low density facets. With the next snow-storm this
layer could become a concern. A snow-profile at elevation 2320m aspect east: HS
210cm, from the surface down 40cm hard shovel-shear result and hard
compression test result with "resistant planar". The more
important layer to keep an eye on is the November 9th crust, a 10 to 15cm
sandwich crust. At this elevation this layer is now buried 124cm, reacted to
hard plus shovel-shear results and no results on “standard compression test”
(CTN) but did react to a “deep compression test” with hard shear results
and clean "resistant planar". Along exposed alpine ridges we
have observed some isolated minor soft wind slabs, which did not react to
skiing. However, in extreme terrain with exposure to the wind and southerly
aspect, elevation 2650 m and above, we have observed point release avalanches
and one size 1.5 natural triggered slab avalanche. Overall the conditions at Rogers Pass are amazingly good. I cannot
remember having seen since many years such good stability conditions this early
in the winter. We had again an amazing day of great touring and skiing of 1500
vertical metres of perfect powder. Definitely, another inspiring day out
there.
Enjoy the super light powder. Ruedi Beglinger I.F.M.G.A. / A.C.M.G. Mountain Guide www.selkirkexperience.com
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