Jumbo pass

Dan Kilburn , Wednesday 11th December, 2024 8:15AM

Saturdays storm made for great skiing conditions through the weekend. 25-35 cm of soft snow (fist density) on all aspects over a supported mid pack. Hs 140cm at the pass. Skiing bellow 1700m was tricky with a rain crust and shallower snow pack BTL. Monday nights winds made for 1F to 4F windslabs in exposed areas alpine and tree line 15cm-25cm thick (deeper in immediate lees) Our group triggered a Skier accidental size 2 on a south facing alpine slope Monday afternoon. First skier entering a steeper south facing slope at ridge top 2450m and triggered 25cm storm slab that ran on a sun crust. Sun crust only found on steep solars 30 degrees or steeper. Avalanche propagated when skier entered slope, he was able to ski to a safe spot above fracture line. No involvement. Size2, 20-30 cm deep, 25m wide and ran 100m, slab broke up on slope but entrained much of the hst sitting on the sun crust. (Photo number 1) Our group triggered a second size 2 Sa on Tuesday late morning while skiing out to valley bottom. Westerly winds transported snow Monday night into Tuesday morning leaving widespread wind effected snow at alpine and tree line. While transitioning into tree line at 2250m our group triggered a deep wind slab on an unsupported roll. 75-150cm deep, 10m wide and ran 200m through rocky unsupported terrain. Third skier in group traversed slightly lower on slope and triggered the deep slab that ran as large blocks through steep terrain not entraining much snow. She was able to ski to a safe spot and there was no involvement. (Photo number 2)