Chilkat Pass

Quick report

Riding Quality

ok

Chilkat Pass - Saturday January 27, 2018. Air temperature at the parking area was roughly -20C with a light breeze out of the North. At 5200 ft it was -16C with plenty of solar radiation and a light breeze. SW facing location @5200 ft elevation w/ 80 cm base; two ice (rain crust) layers found. These were found elsewhere on all aspects. The layers at this aspect and elevation were found at 68cm and 56cm (12 down and 24 down). CTM 5 / (depth hoar) RP release just below the 68cm (12 down) rain crust. Easy (4 finger) penetration of 2-3 cm's of hoar frost present just below 68cm rain crust. The snow temperature just below this ice layer was -18C. Foot pen's 10-25cm, some places more...... The bottom 10cm just above ground level were (4 fingers) as well and our entire column collapsed easily just after our CTM 5 release. Snow depth varied from 50cm or less on ridge tops and wind scoured areas to 2.2M throughout our approach. No Whumphing. Note: Old evidence of of soft slab release and/or cornice failure were visibly noted on South facing slopes at ridge tops (approximately 6000ft). They ran moderately far with little propagation. Cross loading and cornice failure noted as well on some East/NE facing slopes.