The Gargoyles

Skinned out to the Gargoyles/Columnar col via Elfin Lakes. Great travel and supportive upper snowpack with significant SH growth overnight. Easy trail breaking and fast, fun skiing. We did observe a number of large (sz2) avalanches that probably went Na during the most recent storm. There were crowns visible on steep slopes on most aspects. There had been a significant cornice fall on the back side of the col, but it had not triggered anything on the slope below. Air temps were cold and wind was calm, although we did see pinwheeling on steep solar aspects in the early afternoon.

CTM down 100cm on 2mm FC over MFCr CTH down 110cm on 2mm FC over MFCr 3-5mm SH on the sfc with F pp, 4f pp and 1f rounds below, making up the upper 1m of the snowpack. Below this was a series of FC/MFCr layers similar to what we are seeing in the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry. Although they are deeper here in Squamish and seemingly less reactive it is still advised to stick to low angle, supported terrain. The consequences of triggering this layer would be significant.