Popes Peak Col

Submitted by
Parks Canada Visitor Safety
Observations date
Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 18:00
Location
51.408710° N 116.288350° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Popes Peak Col

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Powder

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny
  • Warm

Comments

Skied up to Popes Col today. Left the road at 7:30 am and were back by 12:30 pm. Don't be back any later, as we just got in before the snow in the trees went isothermal. Conditions were good with fast travel on surface crusts in the morning and widespread wind effect at the high elevations. Everywhere was wind blasted - except the descent slope, which was convenient. There was the odd small patch of dry snow in the shade above 2000 m. Loose dry then loose wet avalanches started running down the east-facing gullies of Narao at 9:30 am and it was continuous.
North Face of Popes Peak
North Face of Popes Peak
The whole way up the snow was wind blasted.
The whole way up the snow was wind blasted.
This slope accesses the col on the left side and was a mix of MF crust and wind effect with shallow snow in spots.
This slope accesses the col on the left side and was a mix of MF crust and wind effect with shallow snow in spots.
Upper slopes of Popes Col
Upper slopes of Popes Col
The downhill skiing pitches were good snow, the only good snow we found.
The downhill skiing pitches were good snow, the only good snow we found.
Narao Gullies - these are east facing and started avalanching at 9:30 am and were continuing all morning. Very loud.
Narao Gullies - these are east facing and started avalanching at 9:30 am and were continuing all morning. Very loud.