Quick report
- Weather
- cloudy, cold
- Ride Type
- denseTrees
- Stayed Away
- alpineSlopes, convexSlopes, cutBlocks, openTrees, steepSlopes, sunnySlopes
- Riding Quality
- good
- Snow Conditions
- crusty, powder, windAffected
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSound
Field Observation Summary Plan: The initial objective was to ski Whales Back. While traveling along Evening Ridge, we observed shooting cracks, indicating potential slab instability. Based on these red flags, the group reassessed the plan and chose a lower-consequence east-facing treed slope for skiing instead. Test Location: Aspect: East Slope angle: 32° Elevation: ~1950 m Terrain: Open test area within treed slope HS (Height of Snowpack): 258 cm Multiple Compression Test (snow stability test) were performed. Compression Test Results CTE 3 Failure at 15 cm Interface: Buried surface hoar within storm snow Character: Easy failure, indicating high sensitivity in the recent storm slab. CTM 12 Failure at 40 cm Interface: February 15 crust Suggests a developing slab over the crust layer. CTM 14 Failure at 102cm Interface: January 28 crust Sudden planar Terrain Decision Given the instability indicators and test results, the group chose to avoid committing alpine terrain (Whales Back) and instead skied a lower-angle, treed east-facing slope to reduce avalanche exposure.