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Wednesday, November 16, 2005

[MCR] Rogers Pass - Ursus/Bruins area

Joined the ever growing number of skiers in Rogers Pass today. Toured up the ridge to Bruins most of the way then skied into Ursus Minor Bowl followed by a few laps down lower in the bowl.

 

Definite change in conditions since Monday – lots of wind effect and stiff windslabs on the ridgecrest and onto the lee side of the ridge at and above treeline – so far the wind effect hasn’t reached too far downslope but continued moderate/gusting strong SW winds will only continue the process.

 

No new avalanches observed.

 

The snowpack in general appears well consolidated but I have seen some places (like the steeper central roll off Balu Pass) where the deeper October crust was weaker than it appears most other places – so some caution in shallower areas where this may be predominant would be prudent – remember that these deep crusts sometimes take more load than most weak layers before they become reactive.

 

Keep them slippery side down,

 

Scott Davis

Mountain Guide