Today our group planned to ski the NW Couloir of Avalanche Peak (approaching via NRC Col). Although we couldn’t see a fracture line, it seemed like it had avalanched during the last cycle, as it was quite icy with hard rimed up wind effect (I boot-packed a short way up and skied down to see if it was as bad as it looked). We decided not to ski the NW couloir, and instead skied the couloir on the skiers right. This one had much better snow, although there was a small double-bergshrund and some bare glacier ice to avoid. The cornice at NRC col was pulling away from the ridge (photo attached).

Lots of people have been out enjoying the unusually stable conditions in Rogers Pass lately, skiing lots of steep lines. The wind effect is quite variable depending on where you go from wind hammered, scoured, breakable crust, smooth velvety facets, powder with wind crust, chalk, and icy bed surfaces. I have experienced all of the above in the past week.

Good luck finding good skiing out there before the next storm!

Alex Geary
Mountain Guide