Helena Ridge East

<p>Weather: 3 short periods of high wind, heavy precip (graupel, wet snow), & low visibility (~50m) from 9am-3pm; otherwise warm, calm, low ceiling, 800m to 1.5km visibility. Temp: 0°C at trailhead at 10am; -3°C at trailhead at 2:30pm. Snow: Heavy & wet; skied like wet concrete mix. HS 100-120cm at TL, HS ~60cm BTL. Decisions: Based on an acquaintance’s report of surface hoar on ridge descent last weekend, our own observations of 5-10cm new snow on Jan 1, & our observations of warm temps & periods of blizzard-like conditions that morning, we considered possibility of encountering wind loading & new heavy wet on ridge. At TL we had blizzard-like conditions, 25 – 50 m visibility, & couldn’t see the ridge; we chose to ski down in the trees close to our skin track.</p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Dense trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes, Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

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

Snow Conditions

Heavy, Wet.

Weather Conditions

Stormy, Warm.