South Sleeman ridge

Back from 1 week in the Nelson backcountry. Lots of new snow fell with around 1 meter recorded at 1900m. Amazing conditions but rode conservatively on W and S facing slopes staying below or at treeline while doing our best to avoid open areas. Skied from the sumit of South Sleeman peak on the one clear day we had (Thursday). Overall in the areas we were skiing the snowpack felt solid and felt like it consolidated throughout the week.

Saw results of multiple avalanches, each time in the same location and on the same slope which was an east facing leeward location at around 2000m. Our presumption is that things slid with all the wind and snow we had this week. Seemed to go all the way to ground on at least one occasion. No human triggered results recorded by anyone in our group on S and W aspects at elevations between 1600m > 2350m Hard to provide any other observations as was it was so cloudy/snowy all week long.

Last pit was dug Wednesday/Jan 8th morning (see photo). Extended column test performed: - 30~40cms new snow, removed from the wrist and elbow. Seemed to be bonding well to deeper layers. - Rain crust from the start of the week buried around 70cms, unable to get a reaction. - End of Dec SFH/melt freeze burried 120cms, non reactive Overall: snowpack felt solid in this location and definatley seemed to gain strength throughout the week. No skier results recorded from our party of 10 on S and W aspects at and above treeline. On Thursday went up as high as 2350m and skied some steeper open sections (see attached photo) with no weaknesses noted. -----‐-------- Only results from the week were observed when setting a new skin track Friday morning at around 1600m on a south aspect. Shoots and cracking observed with some small remote triggers on the newly formed storm/wind layer. Could not repeat these results desecnding or climbing on an existing skin track set earlier in the week.