[MCR] Selkirk Mountains- Rogers Pass - Balu Pass Nov.8 2009

Well I finally recovered enough from the flu bug to wander up Connaught creek today with Greg Johnson. We aimed our early season sites on Balu Pass.

 

Happy to say a couple from Revy made the early start and put a nice track in up the valley saving us old guys (well me anyway) from laboring up the drainage – they were breaking what looked to be 15-20cms in the valley bottom, that had accumulated over the older tracks – I am not sure if anyone was up there yesterday (Sat.) but there was definitely traffic on Friday. The temps were cool with light winds and snow showers off and on all day.

 

Once you broke out of the trees, the total depth of snow down low looked to be around 50cms and was composed of 20-30cms recent storm snow over a strong rain crust. We did notice one reasonably recent small dry avalanche that had run fast and far (to valley bottom) off the steep North facing slopes of Cheops – it looked to be a result of wind loading at the high ridge crests (things looked windier in the high alpine that what we experienced during the day)

 

At the Base of the headwall just below Balu Pass we took a minute to check out the bonding of the recent storm snow to the aforementioned crust which was now down 60-100cms from the surface. Compression tests yielded hard results just above the crust with a clean shear but it didn’t seem to want to leap off the crust for sure – hand shears nearby also produced a clean shear on the crust but my impression was that it was stuck reasonably well – though I was not keen to test my theory on some steep convex roll!

 

We continued above the Pass (elevation 2070m.) and up the ridge that ascends North, towards 8812 Pk., and noticed that the crust had disappeared – so from this limited observation (and Greg’s conversation with the local Avalanche forecasters) it appears that the crust peters out around 2000m and is likely not an issue above that elevation.

 

The snowpack felt well settled adding some confidence that we would not sink into the rocks if we stayed away from scoured ridges – the ski quality was actually quite good – okay it was great and everyone out there was having fun (we saw the aforementioned couple and another group of 3).

 

Keep in mind of course that all those rocks that were visible not to long ago are now just buried – we stuck to lower angled terrain not so much as to limit avalanche risk as to keep from having to edge to hard and dig into something close to the surface.

 

It felt great to get out for a walk in the mountains – but I definitely still feel as though I need a bit more time and info to gain some confidence in the snowpack – though I have to say it appears to be off to a good start.

 

Remember if all else fails – LEAN BACK,

 

Cheers,

 

Scott Davis

ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide