Feb 29 - Mar 7, 2008, Rogers Pass

6 of us went up to Roger's Pass last week with low expectations, thinking the snowpack would be similar to Washington's ("snow so old it had Alzheimer's"). We spent 5 days skiing out of Asulkan hut and 2 days out of Glacier Park Lodge. It snowed 15 cm the night we got there, 10-20 cm each night for the next 3 days, then cleared to bluebird conditions - the conditions could not have been more perfect.  We found 40-80 cm of light storm snow on sun crust (southern exposures) or facets and surface hoar (northern exposures).  The avy risk was said to be high elsewhere, confirmed on discussion with several other groups, but for some reason the Asulkan drainage was very stable and we were able to ski everywhere, including the 45 degree pitch off Young's peak. The published risk kept most other groups away and we virtually had the drainage to ourselves.

Spectacular continuous runs off Young's peak to the mousetrap (3500'),  Sapphire col to the mousetrap (3500'), and yoyoing the triangular moraine above the mousetrap. Good turns and  touring up the Illecillewaet glacier to Lookout Mt and up Loop brook to the Dome glacier then out the Asulkan drainage.

By Friday the snow was starting to settle, increase in density, ans southern suncrust was forming. The northern exposures still have fabulous snow.