[MCR] Rockies, West Niles

I guided some ski touring in the West Niles area of Bow Peak today, Jan 27th. Lots of wind effect from treeline up with numerous boilerplate slab surfaces where it is hard to hold an edge in ascent, or not possible. The recent snow and lighter winds have created some dust on crust on said boilerplates and then good boot top powder in less wind affected features. We had a lot of good skiing but only ventured about 100 metres above treeline, the wind has had too much play above that level and the tracksetting was very difficult and the ski quality poor.

I had several settlements the size of my living room in shallow and steep transitional steps around treeline. The midpack would wumpff down into the rotted out basement, not a problem in deeper snowpack areas where the midpack is bridging and you don't get dropped into the basement.

Happy trails,

Barry Blanchard
Mountain Guide
www.barryblanchard.ca
www.yamnuska.com




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