Powder Valley Sunday

<p>Not deterred by yesterday's reports of a return to the wind-blasted status quo, we skinned up and skiied SW and E aspects to 1350m in the Powder Valley area. As anticipated, we found widespread wind effect on all terrain features other than sheltered pockets and gullies at treeline - which retained powder. All prominances in the terrain above 1100m varied drastically, ranging from wind pressed surface snow to wind slab which increased in thickness as we climbed. Wind slab up to 1300m was manageable, unreactive, bonded well to the crust interface and ranged from 10-20cm and from 4f to 1f hardness. Above the 1300m elevation band, the structure of the upper pack became spooky in a hurry, with hard 1f slab up to 70cm depth overlaying a hollow, drum-like weak combo of facets/crust/facets. Having dug quick hand pits all the way up this was our cue to turn around. The immediate reactivity of this slab/facet/crust/facet combo was unclear, but it's a nasty recipie for avalanches and we were concerned about transitions from deep to shallower snowpack areas near rocky outcroppings and steep start zones. The ridge views will wait. Very similar story on the east facing aspect we skied next. The day saw broken clouds, some sun and blue sky - temps hovering around -6 with very little wind. There were signs of a widespread avalanche cycle to size 2.5 during the last storm. Deep in the valley and good skiing low down. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Steep slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Cloudy.