Who Put That Drift There?

<p>The north winds were howling today at Bijoux. This reverse loading pattern continues to move snow from deep northerly slopes onto the southwest side. The blowing snow was rapid piling drifts, covering trails and forming fresh, touchy windslabs on hard old snow. In spots, these deposits were 40cm deep which made for difficult trail breaking (and re-breaking). Meanwhile, the usual suspects for wind slabs are being stripped to rock and old snow while the cornices slowly erode. We had fun watching the shooting cracks as we cut small convexities and drifts but stayed well away from larger slopes. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Convex slopes, Mellow slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Hard, Heavy, Powder, Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Sunny, Windy.