Moyie

Snowfall was ramping up through the day with 5-10 cm by 3 pm and lots of blowing snow in open areas. We probed snow depths between 120 and 180 cm, consistently finding a thin crust 30-40 cm deep (late Jan) and a thick hard crust 50-70 cm deep (Dec 26). We had hard resistant snowpack test results (ECTN) on small facet layers around the upper crust. No new avalanches observed.

Quick fitness tour up the Farrel Creek FSR then down the pipeline cut. Snow heavily consolidatedup to 1500m thanks to significant rain Dec 26/27. Some overlying powder, especially between 1300-1500m. No signs of instability.

100 cm of snow at the tree line. Hard crust 10-15 cm down with a well consolidated base below. Below 1800m elevation stumps are a problem.

CTM18 (RP) 60cm down MF, repeated on the second test at CTM16 CTH28 (SP) 110cm down MF, did not repeat on second test but did fail after two additional hard hits (12 hard) Observation made in a protected area unaffected by wind.

Another 40cm by the afternoon beginning to get moist and heavy on the surface as temps warmed up throughout the day. Riding on recently tracked trails was reasonable, but very difficult as soon as you ventured off. Over a meter of recent snow sits above a sugary faceted base, making it possibly to fall up to your neck in spots. Pretty obvious signs of poor avalanche conditions (not to mention difficult travel) kept us in simple low angle terrain.