Stanley Headwall wind slab

nick.baggaley, Saturday 8th February, 2025 10:38PM

<p>Headed up to climb at the Suffer Machine complex; didn’t get up anything due to one size 1.5 slab avalanche and other sluffing over our planned route. On approach, noted a prominent, hard wind slab over top of a second, softer slab all resting on a decomposing, faceted mid pack. Crude compression tests showed the upper slab to be very touchy. On the ski out, noted a large amount of sluffing and wind transport all along the Headwall. </p>

Weather Report

<p>Through the day, sky was overcast with S-1 in the morning, increasing around 8am to S1 with brief periods of S2. Winds picked up around this point as well, from C to L-M SW down valley. Temperatures stayed steady around -5C. Total visible snow from the storm appeared to be about 5cm at tree line on descent. </p>

Terrain Ridden

Alpine slopes.

Terrain Avoided

Convex slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Crusty, Hard, Wind affected.

Weather Conditions

Stormy, Windy, Cloudy.

Location: 51.18702147 -116.05620440