A puzzle of wind slab, crust and powder

Quick report

Weather

windy, cloudy

Ride Type

sunnySlopes, alpineSlopes, mellowSlopes

Stayed Away

steepSlopes, convexSlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

windAffected, heavy, crusty, powder

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSound

Went for a ski up Puzzle Peak Ramp. New snow made for easy travel below treeline. The ramp was a mix of wind affected snow with some localized windslab, crust and powder, alternating between sunny skies and howling wind. Hollow sounding snow at one point on uptrack, and evidence of a Size 2 dry loose avalanche in steep terrain off Oxo peak, likely from earlier this week. We found a powder line with some breakable crust to ride down the ramp, but need to pick your line carefully as the slope is fairly wind scoured and lots of sharks. Soft snow below treeline made for a smoothe exit through the trees.