Popes Col

bensoneff , Saturday 23rd March, 2024 6:10PM

Headed to Popes col today. 10-20cm of low density snow on top the crust in the Narao trees increasing to 20-30cm in the ALP with pockets of even deeper snow. New snow is bonding well to the Mar 20th crust. Saw lots of loose dry out of extreme terrain but new snow felt solid underfoot in terrain up to 40*. Dug a pit, N aspect 2200m, HS 220cm. Found a progressive snowpack with some facets around the Feb 3 crust that did not fail on tests. ECTX CTN. Popped the layer off with a shovel shear and found small facets underneath. Another party was trying hard to ski the couloirs in the valley with no luck. Narao left crux is cruxy, birth canal line has a big rock step, popes couloir has a bergschrund. Popes col was the place to be!