Return of the Maq(uilla)

Epic day at Mt Maquilla in the always spectacular Nimpkish Valley. The day was cool and sunny, alpine temps reached a balmy -5 by 1 pm! (0° in direct sun). Wind was calm. We hit thin snow on the sandpit road at 600 m, and started sliding on snow at 800 m due to a decent sized tree across the road. Access overall was breezy, doesn’t get much better in our experience. The skin track to ridge top was an ASMR enthusiasts dream. Big beautiful surface hoar crystal up to 3 cm tall dominate the surface all the way to mountain top, which makes a satisfying SHHHH sound when it topples over. Ski quality was outstanding, 50 cm of dry snow cover the January crust. We did not have any results in snowpack tests or see any signs of instability.