Rogers Pass Nov 2018

**LeeLau** · 11-29-2018, 10:20 PM

Roadtrip to get away from ass snow on Coast. Full story with useful links http://www.leelau.net/sharonandlee/r...permit-system/

Conditions in Rogers Pass acceptable. HS 105cms at 1950m. HS 165 at 2300m. 40 - 50cms storm snow fist density overlaying settled 1F to pencil. Some SH and MFc in creekbeds at valley bottom but not present at alpine except for usual near surface facetting at thin spots on ridgetops. Observed near surface stuffing NA on N facing steeps

Skies initially scattered clouds moving to cloudy later in day. -6 to -8 during day. Winds nil

Snow quality excellent on SE facing slopes from 2550 to 1850m. Sporty character-builders below due to lack of coverage

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**robnow** · 11-30-2018, 01:31 AM

Well that looks decent!

SB · 11-30-2018, 06:53 AM

Sweet pics, TFS.

**el hefe** · 11-30-2018, 10:59 AM

Nice man

**garyfromterrace** · 11-30-2018, 04:58 PM

Sheesh. I suck.

Nice job Lee and crew!

I think I have to re-jig my priorities a bit.

**LeeLau** · 11-30-2018, 07:31 PM

Lookout Col - Nov 30, 2018
Original intent was to go to "Practise Trees" aka Vaux Trees but entire area was under alder sanction (TM Randy Heppell) with all crossings of the creeks involving acrobatic follys with high chance of immersion. Therefore took Great Glacier summer approach (which is a pretty decent skin track route) in the direction of Lookout Col.

General observation that entire Illecillewaet drainage really shows its character as massively striated glacial moraine when there's so little snow. The ridgelines are plenty and the separating valleys deep so linking up line to line is tough. In short, it needs way more snow. Obs - temps -6. Skies cloudy tending to graybird as the day progressed. Winds nil. Storm snow as before 30 in valley to 40/50cms new. Much more facetting observed as seems to be preserved in the hollow pockets of the moraine. Fairly easy to collapse storm snow into holes which, it of itself, presents its own set of unique hazards. Expect extensive aldercations in the luge-run exits which build character.

SB · 11-30-2018, 07:54 PM

At least you did not have too much avy issues to worry about?

**swissiphic** · 12-01-2018, 08:01 AM

Nice work Lee! Sad to see the proliferation of the 'scar tissue of the north' down around those parts...thought alders were just a coastal phenomena. Booooo! Hiss!

**reckless toboggan** · 12-01-2018, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by swissiphic

Nice work Lee! Sad to see the proliferation of the 'scar tissue of the north' down around those parts...thought alders were just a coastal phenomena. Booooo! Hiss!

Alders can be gnarly at the bottom of the pass in the early season. Especially just up behind the centre. Come out with your jacket and pants looking like you lost a fight with a sapling.

**LeeLau** · 12-01-2018, 08:20 PM

**LeeLau** · 12-01-2018, 10:01 PM

Grizzly Peaklet in the Connaught zone at 2750m. We gutted its collection zone to 1350m under bluebird skies with fountains of quadruple overhead bluebird pow.

Lots of sluff moving on steep slopes to keep you on your toes. Lots of buried sharks (duh - with early season snowpack) to make you reign in turns. Solar starting to do its thing on SW and S slopes. SE still fine for now but with the high pressure persistent that will change soon. Skies clear; winds nil; no new snow. 2 - 3mm facets forming in treewells, rocky pockets etc