To the Trees!

Another fun day poking around the Elk Mountain zone. Skinned up from 500 m to check out the east glades. We observed 20-60 cm of storm snow on top of a supportive crust. In isolated unsheltered areas we observed a storm slab on top of a less supportive solar crust. No signs of instability observed on the way up however. Our main ski line was east facing between 1600-1200 m primarily on 20-30° treed slopes. While descending, the third rider in our group triggered a size 0.5 slide. The snow failed approximately 30 cm down on a firm crust. This was a quick visual observation as the slide occurred above a cliff band and our group wanted to move to a safer spot. After some adventurous route finding we made our way back to the cut blocks. By 2 pm we noticed pinwheeling and warm temperatures ( day ranged from -3° to +5° C). The sun came out and we enjoyed some wet pow turns in one of the cut blocks. Observed melting of the snow on the road below 700 m in the afternoon. Lots of sledders and skiers enjoying the day!