Cheops Shelf

Submitted by
todddundon
Observations date
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 14:00
Location
51.284530° N 117.550030° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Cheops Shelf

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Powder
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Convex slopes
  • Steep slopes
  • Sunny slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny

Comments

Started early & travel up to Balu was fast with the refrozen snow. Ski crampons are definitely req'd for Cheops west shoulder. No cornice on the entrance & the rappel is easy with multiple chopped ledges in place for transitioning. Still lots of snow coverage,. Snow was chopped powder. The choke 1/3 down the run is still passable on the right side. One member of our party went for the summit & remotely triggered a cornice that avalanched size 3 down the north face that impacted the lower half of the run. Skiing on the lower half is survival skiing until there's a refresh. The lower bowl (North Cheops #2) was wonderful spring corn. No other avalanche activity noted during the day in the Connaught drainage.
Lots of snow on the way to Balu.
Lots of snow on the way to Balu.
Good coverage with a track put in all the way to the west summit.
Good coverage with a track put in all the way to the west summit.
Skins on for the traverse to the entrance.
Skins on for the traverse to the entrance.
Someone was kind & got rid of the cornice on the entrance.
Someone was kind & got rid of the cornice on the entrance.
Just below the choke. Still passable on skiers right. It's very steep in this section...there is an anchor in the rock wall above it in case someone needs to lower.
Just below the choke. Still passable on skiers right. It's very steep in this section...there is an anchor in the rock wall above it in case someone needs to lower.
The lower bowl (North Cheops #2) is still great skiing!
The lower bowl (North Cheops #2) is still great skiing!