[MCR] Connaught Creek - Rogers Pass

I was back at the pass today because yesterday was just too good to be true.  We were up the Connaught drainage this time wound with a lap on Grizzly Shoulder with excellent ski conditions and then a run to punch a track up to Balu Pass – where we spent the rest of the day by ourselves in 40-60cm new, very light and and very cold new snow.  

The shears down 15cm and 30cm are still present but not producing any significant results in areas skied today.  Minor sloughing in steep features but no real mass or momentum to speak of.  The winds were generally light from the north, gusting moderate and starting to transport snow up high on the shoulder up from Balu Pass just beneath 8812 peak, no slabbing observed at all today.

The weather was in and out but we got a reasonable look at the high country including 8812 bowl and the Cheops slide paths.  No wind effect in 8812 bowl at all that we could see, and most of the paths off Cheops that affect the valley floor have sluffed off in the last 24 hours, all running to top or mid path elevations.  All in all another fantastic day out at the pass... and its only November...

Skiing is excellent all round, reports from the Ursus area were 5 star as well.  Hazard wise, things are changing with all the new snow lately and more on the way – keep your eyes open, tips up and repeat your ‘Obvious Clues’ as a mantra out there...Avaluate things carefully.

Ian Tomm
Assistant Ski Guide