[MCR] Roger's Pass - Connaught Drainage

Spent the day on Dec 4th playing around on the West shoulder of Cheops. Things are quite thin - the early season snowpack is still very prevalent. I was finding less than 90cm in sheltered spots at treeline. We encountered pencil hard windslabs right on the crest proper. There was between 0-30cm of low density snow sitting on top of this. Made for some sporty up track building as we hugged the ridge to avoid any bigger (possible) windslabs. On our descent we explored a little further and found (in that area) that the windslabs were confined to the ridge. We did have some minor cracking with the windslab in areas where the snpk was thin (30-40cm) around rock outcrops. Across the valley we could see a number of point releases to size 1 on solar aspects, as well as what looked like a thin slab release (S aspect) from a mid-slope rocky area around 2300-2400m. A guess at size was 1.5 but it appeared it ran a fair ways, maybe 150m.

The snowpack in the alpine has facetted quite a bit. Very much a Rocky's snowpack - thin coverage and cool temps promoting the crystallization. In many spots the pack did not carry skier weight as well as it did just a few days earlier. Also there was surface hoar growth again - now 2 layers with variable distribution. That other one was buried with the last snowfall. We didn't find it widespread, so it will take diligent looking to figure out where it lurks.

Still, good fun with early season exploring. Lots of smiles again with the folks I ran into. Quite busy, upwards of 50+ people in Connaught on Sat, possibly more on Sunday with the clear day. We encountered no wind & a valley fog up to 2000m.

Trail in good shape (yes, still early season and a rock hop here & there is in order) and another fine day of stretching the legs.

Loks like some decent precip in the forecast which will change things by next weekend. Tread carefully!

Dave Healey, ASG
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