Wheaton Wumpfs, powder, and avalanches

<p>Found some nice turns in the Wheaton today. The day started cold at -17 in the valley but quickly warmed with sun and inverted air. The snowpack is very sugary in the Wheaton with everything ranging from deep faceted powder to firm windslab on facets. As I tracked up a 35 degree slope, sparsely covered in trees, I had a few good whumpfs that had me seeking lower angle terrain. When I ran out of real estate and had to commit to steeper slopes higher up, I pulled skins and had nice runs. In addition, there was evidence of recent large avalanche cycle to size 2.5 on various wind and sun affected aspects at higher treeline and alpine elevations. Cornices are very well developed in the Wheaton this season. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Powder.

Weather Conditions

Cold, Sunny, Warm.