Fraser chutes Sunday

<p>Despite the cold windy forecast we went for a drive anyway and did get out of the truck for a fast brisk lap and look at conditions: -17 at the road, -25 up in Fraser chutes at 1pm. The cold was manageable and forecast accurate, but the main point of this MIN is to note that the recent wind had reached far down into Fraser chutes into treeline and beneath. Very few sheltered areas seem to have survived the recent switch from southerly to northerly / n.e winds. Lots of cold low density snow is avaliable for transport and is now forming drifts and reactive windslabs quite low in the terrain and on crossloaded features. Lots of shooting cracks during our short tour to treeline. Too cold to want to dig, but hand pits and pole probes suggested a stout crust between 30-60cm down around 1300m. Surfaces varied from wind board, windslab, textured wind pressed powder and a little bit of low density pow very low in what tree cover exists. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Dense trees, Mellow slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Convex slopes, Steep slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

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

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Cold, Windy.