South Hector - Sketchy Windslab
Quick reportDanimal Kmart · Feb 11, 2023 · Fryatt
Quick report
- Ride Type
- denseTrees, mellowSlopes, openTrees
- Stayed Away
- alpineSlopes, steepSlopes
- Riding Quality
- Good
- Snow Conditions
- powder, windAffected
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSlab, avalancheConditionSound
Headed for Hector South to ski some below treeline and low angle (18deg) treeline terrain. AvCan forecasters nailed the forecast (in my opinion) today. Below treeline we found shallow snow, well supported by vegetation. As we transitioned to treeline elevations the snow became softer and deeper but disappears quickly as you move out of the trees into bare rock near ridgeline. We observed a loud WHUMPF in rocky terrain (2400m) while skinning up (West aspect). On final descent we released a sz 1 windslab in shallow rocky terrain. We entered the day wary of wind loading on EAST aspects, but were scared to learn that there is very touchy snow on WEST aspects as well.
Weather
-8C at the saddle (2400m) after lunch.
Avalanche
Ski cut released a small windslab in VERY shallow (<40cm) depth snowpack on windward (West) aspect. Slide stopped midslope a few meters below.