A Crackin New Year

<p>It was a stormy day in Pine Pass with around 15cm of new snow and some strong gusty southerly winds swirling it all around. The weather combined with the newly buried weak layer of facets made for some unstable snow conditions. Almost any steep slope we touched with our sleds resulted in shooting cracks and small slabs about 20cm deep. As soon as we would isolate a block of snow for a test it would often slide before we even had a chance to tap it. Those conditions made us opt for pretty conservative terrain choices as we didn't want to be on or under any big slopes. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

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

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Powder, Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Stormy, Windy.