A nice day to be in the mountains.
Avoid areas of obvious loading with poor runouts. Gully features on Northern slopes will hold good snow in the Alpine and High Alpine
Be on the watch for unsupported slopes - avalanche paths that finish in a steep drop or cliff.
Pick terrain with clean run outs and practise good group management.
Loading will likely be lower on the slope than ridge top on N slopes after the strong winds.
Expect an icy old surface on sunny (N, NE and E) slopes under the new snow.
High
More small (less than Size 1) wind slabs were triggered by local ski patrols yesterday.
These were on slopes lee to the SW and S around terrain features like ridges and cliffs.
Yesterday’s new snow has bonded well to the old surface.
It has fallen over a thin and varied snowpack. On exposed NW, W and SW slopes the old surface is either ground or a firm crust.
Shady areas still have faceted snow in the lower snowpack. However recent conditions have promoted rounding (healing) and with extensive testing in the region we have removed Persistent Slab from the avalanche problems. These layers will continue to be monitored as the snowpack develops.
Some morning cloud/light snow clearing quickly. Light winds and cold temps. 1000m FAFL
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
