Chinook Mtn

<p>climbed the north face of chinook mtn (snow/ice route). Temps were from 0 to +5 but clear skies and moderate winds kept the shady aspects cool and dry. No avalanches visible. Travelled on a range of steep snow - hard wind slabs, icy melt freeze crusts,spindrift deposits - no signs of instability noted. Poor snowpack structure in a few more sheltered areas - eg wind slab on a few cm facets, over the late november crust - but seemed to be little/no energy in the slab - no shooting cracks etc. On sunny aspects, the snow was perfect corn (!) at midday on steep south facing slopes, becoming soft later in places (boot top) and remaining slick, glazed crust in others. Crampons seemed must for any kind of travel. Generally very boney. Almost snow free to treeline. good 4x4 and scree running conditions.</p>