[MCR] Surprise Pass

Up to Surprise Pass yesterday, Sunday the 14th with 3 guests. Good travel up the Saddle Back trail and with a good skin track all the way to the Surprise Pass itself although it is getting icy in places. Lots of ski traffic on the Fairview avalanche paths and on Fairview itself. Ski crampons would be useful for the last pull to the Pass.  On descent, the top half of Surprise pass was good boot top powder skiing however there has been lots of traffic. The lower third just above Lake Louise was dust on old ski ruts and debris but still quite skiable. A small amount of new snow will tune the place up nicely. We did not observe any avalanches yesterday. The recent storm snow was well bonded to the crusts on solar aspects and there was minimal wind affect. Play safe!

 

James Blench IFMGA

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