Antler Creek fire south aspect

matzner.eric , Friday 24th January, 2025 7:15PM

Skied up to the ridgetop off the 3100 bypass road to check out some south aspect meadows in the antler Creek fire. Snow depth varied 110 to 140. We found 2 reactive layers, one under 30cm of fresh snow and a deeper one 60cm below surface. Both layers were icy crusts modified from warm weather and sun. The lower reactive layer broke at 3 hits from the elbow, top one from 4 hits at elbow. In an extended column test neither layer broke after 5 hits from the shoulder. Snow is poorly bonded to the ground surface in the burnt areas, but don't appear to be a concern right now. We stayed out of large openings and skied trees out. No sign of avalanches, no whumping or settling snowpack. No avalanche signs from skiing. Trees were dense, lines were skiable but not amazing. Creeks are filling in but bridges over the water are weak.