Mt Duke - Caspar Creek

Excellent skinning conditions on the access road from the highway into Caspar Creek drainage. Very cold start to the day with -25C at the car around 07:30 increasing to -6C by the time we returned at around 14:30. Moderate winds with variable direction throughout the day, significant wind transport visible at ridge top. Extensive wind effect on all exposed terrain at ALP/TL on all aspects, with surface conditions varying from zero pen wind slab to 20cm of low density faceting powder. We experienced numerous signs of instability on our way up to the col, including hollow sounds and shooting cracks and decided to call it a day. Definitely seemed more touchy than the Mod/Low/Low rating would imply.

We observed numerous Na avalanches all throughout the zone. Sz 1-1.5 Loose Wet on steep solar aspects. Sz 1.5 Na wind slab on a 35 degree N facing slope at around 2100m. Sz 1.5-2 windslab triggered by cornice fall on 40 degree N facing slope at around 2300m. We also triggered a sz1 wind slab (30cm deep, ran 10m on 35 degree slope NW aspect around 1600m) whilst slope testing in non consequential terrain on our way back to the car.