[MCR] Rockies, Chester Lake couloir

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Fellow Mountain Guide, Steve Holeczi, and I attempted to ski the  
Chester Lake Couloir in Kananaskis Country yesterday, April 26th.  
Once into the couloir we found a firm to hard chalky snow surface,  
not the best for skiing. We surmised that the couloir had seen a lot  
of sloughing recently, and that wind had subsequently pressed the  
surface. We turned around 400 meters up and did a lot of side  
slipping until the lower couoir, that is more open and less steep,  
where we were able to start turning.

Next we skied up to a col just southwest of Mt Chester. This slope  
had a size 3 avalanche come out of it earlier this winter and  
although that made for a very firm base it also churned up some rocks  
that we had to be wary of on the ski down. But back to the col, some  
good views of the Ranger Creek ice climbs (below). We did get some  
good turns threading the needle between avalanche debris and sun crusts.

Happy trails,

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


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Ranger Creek

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R& D, Lone Ranger and The Chalice and the Blade.