Torpy Ice Road Truckin

Things are finally cooling down in the Pass Lake area after a few days of high freezing lines and rain. With the cooler temps came a breakable crust that extends right to the top of the ridge at 1990 m. This crust is enough to drag on the sled in turns and sizzle on the skis. The skier in me cringes at how grabby this new crust would be. There is still soft dry snow under it, so the riding isn't terrible if you can get high enough where the crust is thinner. The cool temperatures have also brought lowered avalanche hazard. The crust locks up the loose wet problems from earlier in the week, prevents any snow transport in the wind, and temperatures are still mild (-2ºC) enough to help bond the old wind slabs at higher elevations. At valley bottom the crust is thicker over a mushy wet snowpack. The trail in from km 18 on the pass was a icy, rutty, whoopy mess, and the climb up the lower parts of the burn was slick. We struggled to keep our sleds cool on the long, icy ride in.