Tantalus

Attempted to ski Sigurd Peak via Pokosha pass. We bivied at the pass and ascended the ridge up to SW knoll above Sigurd Lake. From here we skied down to the lake, walked across the lake and then climbed the South ridge of the un-named subpeak directly west of the true Sigurd peak. After summiting we decided to turn back, as the ridge becomes very narrow and exposed after the summit. Temperatures were warm and the sun was pounding down, so we decided to decent the Southern ridge we climbed up as it was our safest option. From Sigurd Lake we then descended down the open bowl west of the lake, down into the Pokosha valley. From summit to car took 6 hour to descend, due to the complex terrain in the Pokosha valley. Natural wet and loose slides were observed from 10:00AM onward on direct solar aspects. There was also evidence of many size 1 - 3 storm slabs from the storm cycle on the weekend. NW aspects skied very well, despite the sun and good turns were still found. Little evidence of major wind effected areas were observed on the way up.

Excellent conditions in the Tantalus. Quite variable snow quality depending on aspect and exposure to wind. No signs of instability aside from big sluffs. We avoided the NF of Serratus due to concern over windslab we've seen in the area previous days.

It was tropical up there. No overnight freeze. Temps around 15 degrees at 2090m elevation. The snowpack is a series of facets ranging from 3-6mm and laminated MFcrusts - at least where we investigated but seemed wise spread. Isothermic snowpack and extremely variable in depths. Saw point releases and evidence of large slides pulling to the ground on SW facing slopes. Harsh snowline and lots of crevasses starting to pop open.

Spent last 2.5 days in the Tantalus Range. There was good chalky old faceted pow on north slopes with heavy wind affect on exposed ridge top, best skiing was on shady well protected slopes regardless of pitch a bit farther down from ridge top. There was an excellent corn cycle on slopes starting about 1pm rapidly deteriorating into slush. Some significant solar activity limited to steep and rocky terrain up to size 2 but mostly size 1. Glaciers currently well bridged and travel is straightforward, bergschrunds are showing the season though and starting to sag and open in many places. Beauty fun days in the mountains!

Spent 2 days riding lines off Alpha, Serratus and Dione in the Tantalus Range. Large steep north faces (>40-45) were mostly wind scoured. Slopes below 35 and on shady aspects had amazing unconsolidated cold snow and south facing snow was surprisingly dry and unconsolidated given the sun affect. Significant wind effect near ridgeline and in sporadic locations on all faces all aspects. Noticed old slide debris on north faces and wet slides at rock bands on south faces. No signs of instability while skiing.

Many natural avalanches at treeline and above.

Very gusty. Location we were skiing had ridge winds on both north and south aspects. Swirly.