Red flags at Pedley Pass

colin.itin. , Friday 20th December, 2024 3:15PM

Skiing Pedley Pass, gained the ridge with small settlements along the ridge with very obvious wind affect from previous storm (2024-12-18). First laps were on south facing slopes in sparse trees, good skiing with about a 30 cm ski pen. We gained confidence (false confidence as it turned out) and wanted to look over at more committing slopes on southeast aspects. On skins when we approached the ridge, triggered a sizeable WSL from roughly 3 to 5 meters away. Healthy Size 2 that ran to the bottom creek. Didn't bust out the loop but appears to have run on a layer of facets/surface hoar. Had a cheap lesson on group dynamics (rushing to squeeze in another lap) and not allowing good skiing to over ride obvious red flags at ridge top. Skied down via trees on North Aspect with more good skiing BTL close to the summer trail back to the sled.

On skins we approached the slope, had a very sizeble settlement around a small grouping of tree (likely at thin spot). Cracking up and down the cornice triggering wind slab below cornice.