Fraser Chutes

<p>Lovely day out in the Fraser Chutes area with horrible skiing conditions. Followed main drainage area up toward treeline, avoiding overhead hazards and steeper convexities. Snowpack variable with great wind affect above 950-1000M. Variable snowpack with wind loading and pockets of deeper snow below treeline. Wind slabs formed at elevations 1000M + with varying degrees of stability. Witnessed some shooting cracks with minimal propagation while skinning up to treeline. Skier triggered small slough/slide (smaller than size .5) on a small convexity when ski cutting. Wind slab approximately 5cm deep crowned and propagated approximately 10mx10m. Wind slab in most areas hard as a rock and most surface hoar seems to have been scoured away by wind. Snow quality and stability improved greatly below 900m and in denser trees, less susceptible to wind affect. Conditions are less than ideal and VERY touchy out there. Creeks are still not frozen and difficult to detect in some areas where wind loading has covered them up. If you are skiing below treeline, be careful you don't get a soaker!</p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Dense trees, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Crusty, Hard, Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Cloudy.