Camas Peak

New snow lower on ESE aspects was not wind affected. As we gained elevation, we observed slightly increased wind compression on ESE slopes, particularly on commonly skied terrain. The NE bowl off Camas Peak showed significant signs of wind effect and wind loading. We did not dig on those aspects due to observed red flags and chose not to ski there. While ascending Camas Peak via the east ridge, we did not observe any cracking. Had we placed a skin track that cut more into the NE slope I believe we would have seen cracking. No recent avalanche activity was observed in the basin. We dug two pits, detailed below. ⸻ Pit 1 ESE slope off lower Camas Peak, hiker’s right ridge 7,800 ft Aspect: ESE Snow depth: 235 cm ECTN • 12 @ 20 cm (new snow, not wind affected) • 23 @ 50 cm • 25 @ 70 cm Based on observations lower on the mountain and trends over the past week, we wanted to take the opportunity to dig a second pit in the ESE Camas bowl on a ~30° slope approximately 12 ft in from the ridge. Pit 2 ESE Camas bowl 8,600 ft (~80 ft below the summit) Snow depth: 230 cm ECTN • 4 @ 10 cm (fresh snow, slightly wind compressed, ~clean) • 20 @ 50 cm, that thin crust layer, clean shear • 23 @ 95 cm, rain crust from December, clean shear Failures and red flags were present but did not propagate at either location. We chose to ski the ESE bowl approximately 50 ft below the summit, where there is a short section of 35 degrees, before the slope angle mellows, then continued down the flank of the east ridge, staying in 25–30° terrain. We did not experience any cracking or whumpfing during travel or descent.

Camas Peak

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