Flower Couloir

Skied Flower Couloir today with good stability in the couloir but poor ski quality. Our greatest concern was large, wind-loaded ALP features.

One CS observed at 1030 just N of Flower Couloir. Located in steep, rocky terrain and likely failing on FC. Otherwise no recent avalanche activity

Increasing wind and blowing snow after 1200 with L SW winds gusting to M in the ALP. No new precipitation. Average temperature -15C

TP on NE roll below Flower Couloir had significant drum-like sounds and 2x CTE4 (SP) down 22 on FC 1-2mm. This turned out to be an isolated feature. General snowpack conditions in the ALP: Upper snowpack consisted of 5-10 cm P windslab above 30cm of lower resistance facets. Below this was a generally well-consolidated snowpack. HS 80-320+. Ski quality was quite poor in the alpine due to a breakable wind crust.