Reactive surface hoar on north aspects; safer skiing on south aspects.

<p>Numerous dry loose natural avalanches (up to size 2) seen in Manning today (first photo). Numerous storm slab natural avalanches (also up to size 2). North aspects showed signs of cracking (second photo), and at this location gave a propagation likely snowpack test result (ECTPM 11 (SC), on a 34 degree slope, failing down 46cm on well preserved Jan 17th surface hoar (last photo). We chose to ski south aspects where the surface hoar had spotty distribution, was small & difficult to find. On the south side, the new snow was bonding well to a 4cm thick temperature crust, down 39cm. We could feel the intensity of the sun today... the snow was getting heavy on south aspects after 1pm. </p>

Weather Report

<p>Air temperature on a south aspect, 1790m @ 1315hrs was -0.4 Celsius. Trees dripping heavily!</p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Sunny slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Steep slopes, Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

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

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Heavy, Deep powder.

Weather Conditions

Warm, Sunny.