Phalanx

<p>Headed up Phalanx Mountain via Stairmaster. A few crevasses visible on the Blackcomb glacier. Clear blue skies, - 1 to - 2 degree Celsius, light S wind, and strong solar radiation. Stairmaster had soft snow with 20-30cm foot pen, and sluffing. Observed several loose wet debris up to size 1 (likely >24-48hrs) around the bottom of Stairmaster on S and SW aspects at 2000m, initiated on steep and rocky slopes. We skied down the Phalanx glacier (good skiing with no visible crevasses) and then to the treeline. The ski was very good above 2000m with approx 3 cm of powder. Below 2000m, a rain crust was noticeable with 1 cm of soft snow on top on solar aspects. We then headed north to contour the mountain towards the poop chutes. We observed a few whumphing-like sound while contouring at approx 1800m on E and NE aspects (0-10 degrees) . The northern aspects below approx. 2000m had a hard rain crust. Sluff and several other loose wet and cornice debris up to size 1 were observed on SE and E aspects at approx. 1800m elevation. The Poop Chutes had a few cm of soft snow and were quite enjoyable. Overall very good day.</p>

Terrain Ridden

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes, Sunny slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Crusty, Wet, Hard, Powder.

Weather Conditions

Warm.