Scary times in Canyon Creek

Quick report

Weather

stormy, windy

Ride Type

denseTrees, mellowSlopes

Stayed Away

convexSlopes, cutBlocks, openTrees, steepSlopes

Riding Quality

ok

Snow Conditions

crusty, deepPowder, heavy, windAffected

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSound

It was starting to feel life threatening in terrain that is usually a go to for storm skiing. On west/SW aspects between 1800-2200m we experienced extensive shooting cracks, snowpack collapses, and small slabs releasing between ski tracks in terrain under 32deg. We decided not to ski any open glades over 30deg as slab properties were increasing during the day from continued snow and wind. Several test pits (CTE/M 0-11 SP) and numerous hand shears in areas with previous skier traffic showed a very reactive layer down 40cm with 1cm of faceted sugar snow on a 2cm ice crust creating a near perfect persistent slab problem that felt primed for human triggering. I was surprised to get there results in an area that sees moderate to heavy skier traffic. Upon reflection I guess skiers didn't disturb the hard crust that the slab is reacting on even though the snow above had seen rider traffic. I will be avoiding this area for the foreseable future! Other folks had similar results on East aspects today and were feeling nervous putting in standard skin tracks treeline and below treeline Safe travel practices were utilized even in low/moderate angle trees.