Rome ridge, Crow face conditions Mt Rolleston

Had a look on Sunday July 31.

Despite the two recent unusual heavy snowfalls, one form the South and the next form the Northwest the snow was well bonded and there is nothing that could possibly avalanche.

Low down on the cruisey part of the ridge the snow had a hard rain crust, and huge cornices.  These cornices were rolling off an taking a few meters of the western slopes with them. Some attention is required here at the moment.

Higher up where the ridges steepens for two steps the snow was unconsolidated winter type stuff.  The unconsolidated snow continues all the way to the summit.

The Crow face has not warmed enough for ice to form yet, and the Phillistine Bluffs on the Otira valley have not had snow on them long enough for ice to form.

After the bad weather forecast this coming weekend perhaps there will be enough warming and melting for us to see some August ice climbing conditions.