Found: pillow in Powder Valley

<p>We spent Tuesday Dec 31st in Powder Valley. Widespread wind affect on all aspects, all elevations above treeline. Some gully features contained wind deposits, but mostly the alpine was wind pressed or wind scoured. No signs of instability were observed in wind affected terrain traveled through, and no signs of recent avalanche activity. Probing with a pole revealed consistent wind pressed snow of varying depths. Ski pen in alpine is 0, nil, nada (but travel is fast!). Snow is well preserved in sheltered areas at treeline and below, with an HS of 150 at 1350m. Surface hoar overlaying facets is found beneath 25cm of recent storm snow in these areas. Again, no signs of instability within the trees. This is a far cry from the whumpfing, cracking, and recent natural avalanche activity we observed last Saturday at Log Cabin and in Fraser Chutes. Moderate winds throughout the day in the alpine, but most of the snow had already been moved around, stripped, deposited, and pressed, so there wasn't much wind transport action happening. Warm temps near 0 degrees throughout the day. Happy hunting, powder valley pillow seekers!</p>

Terrain Ridden

Alpine slopes, Mellow slopes, Steep slopes, Open trees.

Weather Conditions

Windy, Warm, Cloudy.