Begbie Shoulder

<p>A very wet day up Begbie Shoulder. Started in the rain until it turned to snow around 1300m. Above this it was snowing steadily all day and in sheltered treeline areas there is 40-60 cm of storm snow. It was getting warmer through the day and the low density storm snow was settling into a slab. There was numerous loose dry avalanches to size 1 out of most terrain over 35 degrees. Overall the skiing was good but it was a lot of work to get around! We had a skier accidental size 1 storm slab that occurred in steep, unsupported terrain above a small cliff. It went 40-50 cm deep and around 10 m wide and ran on the recently buried crust layer. In the afternoon the wind was picking up from the south and there was a lot snow on the move. BTL the snow is wet/isothermic in the upper 50+ cm and travel was extremely challenging on the way out. There were a few size 1 loose wet avalanches in steep terrain. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Snow Conditions

Deep powder, Heavy, Wet.

Weather Conditions

Stormy, Warm, Wet, Windy.