Mt Field

Mt Field - Counted 29 people out today going for Mt Field, and as far as I know not a single person made the summit! Unusually warm temps, I got a max reading of 6c at about 1900m with some very warm winds. Thankfully it cooled as we ascended, ending at -1c for our turnaround at 2340m. Winds were calm to light until treeline, then picked up substantially in the alpine. Moderate winds with strong gusts, coming from the SW - depositing lots of snow on the NE aspect of the mountain where the skiing gets done. We decided not to ascend further, as did everyone else (seems most turned around in the 2400m range) because of the substantial wind loading happening below the summit. I did not feel comfortable attempting to cross the final steep freshly loaded slope and I didn't even get close to it. Ski quality was absolutely fantastic right back down to the road, with good coverage throughout. Probed between 95cm and 165 below treeline, with snow depths increasing with gained elevation. Isolated soft wind slabs were reactive to skier triggering on convexities in the alpine, and this will most likely be a bigger issue Sunday. We did not note any other instability issues - only the new wind slabs. As good of a day out that you can ask for even without getting a summit! Warm temps, great snow, lots of people out having fun.

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