Terrain
The CSMG Full Ski Guide Exam travelled though BTL, TL and ALP terrain in Rogers Pass with 2 examiners and 3 aspirant guides from April 20-21. The first day was in Connaught Creek to Bruins Ridge, through Bruins Pass to Ursus Major Bowl and returning via 8812 Bowl. April 21 we ascended the Asulkan valley to the Triangle Moraine to the Dome Bowl and reaching 2300m on the Dome Glacier. We then descended our ascent route.
Weather
The first day saw cooler temps with a low of -4C near Bruins Pass, and a warming trend as the day finished. Skies were high overcast with sunny breaks, no precip and C-L SW winds. April 21 was warm with a high recorded of +7C at 1900m, and deteriorating visibility that saw a weak convective system pass through in the late afternoon. We estimated freezing level to be our high point at 2300m. Overall we were in an elevation range of 1200 - 2500m.
Travel
Cold snow higher on Bruins Ridge and in Ursus Bowl provided good skiing on polar aspects but later got soft and warm on the surface slowing travel down. The next Felt much more like spring the whole time. Somewhat icy in the creek bed requiring ski crampons but warm and wet quite quickly. Ski quality was not great. We stuck to Low angle terrain at the end of the day and the tracks in the valley bottom provided a reasonably quick exit.
Avalanches
We did not witness any natural activity either day. On day two there was evidence of several small size one avalanches on the west facing creek bank just before the Mousetrap. The debris was not very firm with the rising temps. We were able to ski cut several size one slow-moving wet loose avalanches on steeper moraine features 15 cm deep.
Snowpack
Recent storm snow and surfaces had a distinct spring like quality but the mid pack was still cold. To reach true spring conditions and better skiing and riding conditions a full isothermic warm-up and subsequent refreeze will be required. Currently the snowpack seems to be in a transitional period with the late arrival of spring.
Submitted by Larry Kelly, ASG, on behalf of the SGE participants