IAG AST2 Feb 25-28

Four days in the Cain backcountry with an Island Alpine Guides AST2. We were able to see and travel in a lot of terrain, including West and East Bowls, and 3 O'Clock Trees. Experienced the full gamut of conditions, from variable wind effected slopes on Friday, powder conditions in sheltered areas with strong E winds Saturday and Sunday, and a freezing level to 1400m on Monday (today) creating wet surface conditions, and moist snow down 10cm.

Size 2.5 Natural avalanche north side of Mt Abel. Large upper crown (100m wide) triggered multiple smaller pockets on lower flanks (up to 50m wide). Avalanche ran into upper hanging valley, approx 600m in length.

Multiple test profiles around 1300m produced moderate shears (resistant planar) down 40cm below old wind slab. Hard shears (resistant planar) down 70cm in facets.