Emerald slide path

<p>Started the day up at emerald slide path with two groups, one went up the Hamilton lake trail the other up on the old growth trim of the slide path and we met up on the shoulder between emerald and Hamilton paths. Both groups experienced a few settlements in the snow pack skinning around 1900m nothing significant out side of that. no signs of recent avalanche activity. It was abit concerning that the emerald slide path hasn't gone yet, no signs of it having realesed alittle, being no debris filling up the depressions and gullys mid track or in any of the drainages yet we avoided exposure to this path for any extended time. I remember last year it getting pretty close to the lake early season and it feels like it's getting close to that thresh hold with alot of snow to entrain on the way down when it does go. The winds and gusts at ridge top were strong and tossing snow around in all directions which was also a cuase for concern. We opted to ski some tree line terrain and use the lower avy path for exit as the coverage in the Christmas trees lower down on the bench is not good enough for safe skiing for everybody yet, extreme skiers zone. Alder sending is full on in the thicker Christmas trees and it's easy to get hooked especially in the last 200m. There is good skiing but early season hazards must be in fore thought with open creeks in the middle of the lower terrain trap feature in sections. Average Hs at 1800m 75cm, 2000m 90cm and 2200 130cm </p>

Terrain Ridden

Steep slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine 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

Powder.

Weather Conditions

Stormy.