White Pass survives the wind

Headed to this season's 'must ride' zone - east faces of Paddy. Windspread wind affect on approach was mitigated by skiing the narrower avalanche paths and staying out of the wider ones. Snow quality was excellent, skiing likewise. Quick pit and compression test: East aspect at 1200m revealed 10cm of loose snow atop 10-20cm soft slab, with small facets beneath (total excavated depth 60cm). CTE 2 SP down 10, CTE 7 SP down 20. Ski testing a small feature shortly after this produced a small size one with limited propagation. Tiny, soft slab ran fast and broke up easily. Of interest, at one point a traverse line brought me to a more southerly aspect, rapid transition of snowpack with facets top to bottom (total HS 100); highlighting the variability of the snowpack in this zone as mentioned in the recent forecasts. Sometimes you go out with low expectations and come home with a big grin. Today was one of those days.