MacDonald Gully 1

Noticed cracking 30cm down below storm snow on steep unsupported features (pillows) as soon as we started skinning (picture 1). Made a full depth test pit (picture 2) once we got near the lower entrance of our intended line, see "Snowpack" below. We pushed to the upper entrance and made a few ski cuts on belay (picture 3). Where the main gully rolled over 35 degrees, we were able to cut a stubborn 70 cm deep x 10 m wide slab (picture 4). It ran about 900m all the way to the upper fan (SZ 2). We ended up skiing along the more supported shoulder separating Gully 1 and 2 until it looked possible to cut back below the steep upper section of the main gully. More belayed ski cuts from this new entrance did not produce much on this treed pillowy slope largely controlled by sloughs and tree bombs. One exception was a huge pillow triggered down 70cm and 3m wide with a good jump. Upon landing on the slope below, it triggered a 60 cm deep by 4-5 m wide slab which ran partway down the main gully (SZ 1) which had already run full length from previous ski cut. Once in the main gully, we mostly sticked to what had already slid and it skied fairly well. The two controlled avalanches did not seem to have triggered any other slab as they ran down the main gully. A few turns were made on slightly steeper features on either sides of the main gully and predictable cracking could be produced in a few places but the more supported nature and lower angle did not result in anything running. All in all, a great day managing terrain and controlling stubborn slabs.

1) Skier controlled (on belay) SZ 2 slab 70 cm deep x 10 m wide (width of the feature) 38 degrees N facing 2000m ASL, ran to upper fan. 2) Skier controlled (on belay) SZ 1 slab 70 cm deep x 4-5 m wide (steep unsupported feature, i.e. pillow) N facing 1950m ASL, stopped halfway down gully. Both these required a fair amount of force to get going, i.e. stubborn.

1950m ASL ENE aspect HS 190cm 38 deg, exposed ridge top Column 1 CTM 20 SC down 30 cm 4F HST slab on 1F old snow CTH 24 RP down 80 cm 1F slab on SH Column 2 CTH 25 SC down 30 cm CTNR but was able to pull slab down 80 cm with a fair amount of force Stubborn results on SH.