[MCR] Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, Rockies

Hello,

I skied in the Pocaterra Cirque area, southwest of Highwood pass, today,
Nov.11th.

Our elevation range was 2200m to 2650m.
temp -12 at 13:30 at 2550m
2mm surface hoar was observed in sheltered areas.
Average of 55cm of snow.
The top 20cm was very low density, which was on top of a rain crust. This
rain crust was most prominent/thickest from our starting elevation up to
2500m. It was still observed at out highpoint (2650m) but was not as thick.
This rain crust will be a problematic sliding layer.

The basil facets were moist.

There was no wind in our little protected valley, but the alpine faces and
ridge tops had plumes of snow raging off of them(westerly winds). This
windloading resulted in a class 1.5 avalanche that we witnessed come down an
east aspect at ~2600m. This slide came down above (but did not hit) a group
skinning up a slope below the alpine face.

I would avoid areas with windloading. Slabs on top of this rain crust will
be very unstable. Note that slopes below big alpine rock faces can receive
massive amounts of snow loading as a result of snow streaming down the
rockface and piling up on the snow slopes below, even though the slope
itself may not be exposed to the wind.

Good skiing was found in the alpine, with surprisingly little wind
affect/slabs.

A stunning day in the mountains!

Neil Warren
ACMG Ski Guide

www.alpinethreadworks.com
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