Marriot Basin

Weekend at the Wendy Thompson Hut. Luckily it dumped when we got to the hut Friday afternoon with no wind so that added 10cm of fresh everywhere. Saturday cooled off to -2 at the hut so the snow dried out decently well. Ascending from the hut into the honey bronzed bowl Saturday we found increasing snow depth... 15, 20, eventually 30cm in places. This snow was dry and unconsolidated atop a supportive, somewhat forgiving crust. Ridgeline at the top of rock n roll had only 5cm. Lots of wet loose avy debris from the last cycle made for some obstacles up and down. We skiied exclusively N / NW aspects as anything E/S was thinner and crustier. The day was a mix of high clouds with flat light and sunshine. Sunday the N wind picked up and we noticed some compressed wind slab formation on N/E aspect at ridgetop. This slab easily cracked and fractured 5cm depth but was very localized and small propagation (2m wide). No sun on Sunday. Overall low tide still and many boulders exposed on some slopes. These would be great pillow riding if there was deeper pow!! Ski out through the forest was harrowing as to be expected. Icy and many roots and rocks. Not for the feint of heart!! FSR had many creek crossings. Was able to ski from the hut to the car with no transitions.