[MCR] Selkirks, Balu Headwall, Nov 18

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Out for few early season laps in the Connaught drainage.  Nice day & seeing lots of locals & visitors alike sampling the snowpack.  Some observations:

-HS (height of Snow) at 2250m (on the SE ridge of Ursus) :  110-120cm
-settled snowpack with 30cm of Fist (F) resistance new snow (HN) over 4 finger, then 1 finger midpack
-the bottom 1/3 is a dense layer of Pencil (P) resistance with the early season raincrust (RC) prominent on top of this & about 5cm thick
-compression tests had a Medium result (CTM 15) down 20cm in the HN with a Progressive Collapse (PC) nature to the shear, as well as a Hard result (CTH 25) with a Sudden Planar result down 50cm.  This was at an interface of 4f over 1f snow.
-no results to compression tests on the crust
-no results to skicuts.  no settlements felt

All in all, a good start to the season, tho that raincrust could have different reactive qualities in other areas.  It's worth the dig down to have a look at & it stands out quite well (@ 2250m) in the pit I dug. 
Coverage was developing well, tho there was still quite a bit of surface roughness evident in the snowpack below 2100m.  The creeks are still open, but more & more snowbridges are appearing.
I didn't get a very good look into the higher Alpine start zones as the visibility was quite limited at times, tho from what I could see, I didn't see any Natural activity.

It was a happy shortbus load of friendly folk out enjoying the new treats today.  Ski Pen (PS) was about 30+ cm & occasionally one would touch down on grass or worse, rock, at lower elevations.  The trail is in good shape for early season and as usual, provides lots of fun luging out at the end of the day, especially on tired, early season legs!  

dave healey, asg

pic 1 | balu headwall
pic 2 | ursus bowl exit

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