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Rocky Mountain Ramblers Association

Trip Report
Trip Date:
3-Mar-2020
Activity:
Off-Trail skiing
Trip name:
Commonwealth - Pig's Back circuit
Coordinator:
John
Report:

The theme of the day was wind! Of note as we were gearing up a Conservation officer stopped by and asked if we were a commercial guided group and our plans. She also asked about avalanche training and noted club groups are limited to 15 in number. She was pleasant and also said, at times, as this trailhead location with no proper parking, if it is busy, to consider parking at Burstall or on the Tent ridge side. Rather than do a group huddle in the open area of the road we sought the shelter of some tress a few hundred metres up the trail. There was a bit of fresh snow but a broken trail was available initially. We did break off from it, with Clifton breaking trail, to take the route I always have done across Commonwealth lake.




Crossing Commonwealth lake - Commonwealth peak in the background

We were fairly sheltered in the trees for a couple of breaks. Higher up Norman enthusiastically broke trail. We managed to direct Norman's enthusiasm to finding a sheltered lunch spot before the alpine. The wind swirled a bit around the boulder but it was a pretty good spot.




Somewhat sheltered lunch spot below Pig's back col - but hood deployment recommended!

I was surprised that as we got to the alpine on the east side of the col at times the wind was not too bad. Not so at the col in strong wind blowing snow in our faces. A sizable avalanche (size 2) had run fairly recently off Pig's Tail - possibly cornice drop triggered as big cornices were visible between Commonwealth and Pig's tail. After a quick discussion, unfortunately with the wind not always audible to the whole group, all the people who had done the trip before were comfortable continuing knowing that staying right in the drainage would lessen the overhead hazard. The upper west slopes of Pig's Back above us had been stripped of snow by the wind and below that was hard wind hammered waves of sastrugi snow.



Two skiers, visible if you look closely, enjoying(?) the sastrugi descent from the Pig's back - Commonwealth col

Once back below treeline things were calmer. The final challenge of the day was a steep descent of what, I think, is a waterfall in summer.



Damian executing a nice kick turn - I think this is a waterfall in summer.

Norman took a higher line than most which was pretty steep. Once on the flats of Commonwealth creek in honour of Norman's Scottish heritage he and I did a rendition of the Bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond which contains the lines "O ye'll tak' the high road, and Ah'll tak' the low (road) And Ah'll be in Scotlan' afore ye" to the dismay / puzzlement of our companions! Eventually we were back on the well used ski trail by Commonwealth creek with it's occasionally dips and roller coasters that can grab you unawares. We were back at the cars around 3:00 pm and I think we probably started around 10:15 - 10:30 am but I forgot to check my watch. Thanks to the good group of Norman,David,Arnold,Damian,Inge,Ray and Clifton for coming out and surviving the wind in good humour from John. I mentioned to folks who had not done this trip before the skiing on this trip can be much better and yo yos are possible in better snow conditions.