Balu Pass Ski Resort is open for business… kinda

Skied the shoulder of 8812 and the NE aspect of Balu Pass. Things are looking decent for November 3rd. Skin track is taking shape nicely and the alpine is surprisingly well filled in. Trail is almost skinnable from the car. That is if mixed skinning is your jam. One group member skied most of the way down and the other walked down from the “big hill”. Ski out comes with a free base grind and maybe even a free edge sharpening if you ask nicely. It is November 3rd after all. Mostly limited visibility, light-medium wind from the SW, and light snowfall throughout the afternoon. 2-3 accumulation. Some wind-deposited snow on the ridge HS 60 cm at 1900 m, increasing to 95 cm at 2050 m at the summit of Balu Pass. This number was likely inflated somewhat by wind-deposited snow Dug a pit at 2050 m at the summit of Balu Pass. 95 cm snowpack depth. CTM 16 RP down 40 cm. This occurred on the same F above 4F interface that was mentioned in another report from today. Crust at the base of the snowpack, overlaying 5 cm of wet but faceting snow. Generally speaking, snowpack is well-consolidated and right side up. Frequent sluffing observed in extreme terrain on the north side of Cheops. I.e. above the Shelf. No other signs of instability noted. HS 100 cm at 2180 m on the shoulder of 8812. This is where we skied from. Once again, this number is likely inflated by wind-blown snow. Boot pen 30-40 cm Ski pen 10-15 cm Attached are some photos of how lines are filling in for the curious minds out there

Weather Report

Mostly limited visibility, light-medium wind from the SW, and light snowfall throughout the afternoon. 2-3 accumulation. Some wind-deposited snow on the ridge