Helen shoulder

Quick report

Weather

cloudy, windy

Ride Type

mellowSlopes, openTrees

Stayed Away

convexSlopes, steepSlopes

Riding Quality

ok

Snow Conditions

crusty, hard, windAffected

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSound

Snow on the burnt trees side heading up lookers right towards the ridge was all facets and sugary snow that had no support and just sunk through every step with a slab underneath as we gained the ridge crest under the rocks. We followed the ridge lookers left (S/SE) and ended up on hard surface windslab that was hollow, and as we turned the corner headed E we heard 2 big whumpfs under us (25-30degree slope). Another loud whumpf was heard higher up. We also heard a loud remote avalanche from a nearby peak. Ended up skiing the N side of shoulder which was low angle and better snow.