Vista Butte

Toured Vista Butte 3/13 around 1400. Dense, wet snow noted while climbing with significant clumping on skins. While approaching the summit, signs of wind affected snow became obvious. Small cornices with wind deposited snow on E facing slopes. Quick snow pit showed crust 55cm down, finger hardness, with potential facets. Slope cut test produced a failure approx 30 cm down, with decent propagation and cracking. Ski down had a variable and breakable crust with thick, dense snow underneath, making for unpleasant riding. Beautiful day in the mountains with less than ideal snow conditions.

Quick report