Rethel North Couloir

Submitted by
tarfeef101
Observations date
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 19:00
Location
50.157370° N 122.825230° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Rethel North Couloir

Information

Is this a point observation or a summary of your day?
Summary
Elevation band
  • Alpine
Aspect
  • N
Did you observe whumpfing?
No
Did you observe cracking?
No
Foot penetration
100cm
Ski penetration
50cm
Snowpack test result
None
Surface conditions
  • Facets
  • New snow

Comments

Snowpack is not that deep, up to just over a metre in some places, in others it doesn't cover boulders. However, the ENTIRE snowpack is isothermal and faceted. This prevented clumping and large slabs for us, but made uphill travel a nightmare. Even large snowshoes sank over a foot, and when following the leader your steps would still sink meaningfully. We turned back partway up the couloir due to slow progress. Would be amazing for skiing down, but getting up is a problem as you sink about 50cm in every step. Whistler would be happy if they actually opened.

This may become a persistent weak layer if it doesn't bond. Fingers crossed 🤞

In the couloir, swimming in isothermal faceted junk
In the couloir, swimming in isothermal faceted junk
Snow isn't even that deep, likely no more than a metre and often not enough to cover boulders entirely. But it has 0 support
Snow isn't even that deep, likely no more than a metre and often not enough to cover boulders entirely. But it has 0 support
Going uphill is pain
Going uphill is pain
Everything is loose, though at least it didn't clump much so big piles didn't form even when glissing down
Everything is loose, though at least it didn't clump much so big piles didn't form even when glissing down
As we got closer to the lake we hit the boulders underneath more often, and more boulders were surface exposed as well
As we got closer to the lake we hit the boulders underneath more often, and more boulders were surface exposed as well