Quartz Hill Expedition

Aimed for the summit of Quartz Hill via the North Ridge. Opted for conservative terrain due to a visible wind slab at higher elevations (2500 - summit). Weather: Temperature: -13 degrees. Light wind from the SW carried thin cloud. Varied from full sun to full cloud. Signs of fresh snow from previous 48 hours. Riding conditions: Good riding conditions. Recent storm brought in 15cm of dry and light snow. Mellow N and NE slopes were unaffected by wind. Snowpack & Stability: - Location: North Ridge, ALP (2487m). - HS (Height of Snow): Varied significantly. Deep pockets of fresh snow over last storm cycles crust (40cm+) in lee areas; isolated wind crusts on exposed ridges (20cm or less coverage). Test Results: - CT24 (PC, NP) @ 15cm on SH; failure was Non-Planar (crumbled, no clean shear). - PST 100/100 (No Prop) on the same layer. - PWL Check: Early-season Persistent Weak Layer (PWL) was difficult to find and showed no reactivity or movement during testing. Avalanche Activity: - Small isolated dry loose (sluff) activity observed on steep SW aspects. Cornice Fall -> Slab. - Size: 2.0. - Aspect/Elevation: NE Aspect, Alpine. - Trigger: Natural (Na). - Description: Cornice failure from 48–72 hours ago triggered a slab. Wide, chunky (1.5m tall chunks) debris field visible (see photos). Other notes: While the snowpack generally tested as 'Good' the presence of a Size 2 natural cycle and visible wind loading on the summit triggered a decision to pivot. We moved our objective to the false summit (Ridge) to avoid triggering wind-pressed slabs found at higher elevations (2500m+) on NE slopes."