Phantom Couloir

Quick report

Weather

cloudy, stormy

Ride Type

steepSlopes, alpineSlopes, mellowSlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

crusty, windAffected, powder

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSound

It was our mission to ski the Phantom Couloir behind Mt. Ogden. Conditions and stability were close to perfect on the way up to the foot of the couloir, but as we began our climb up the couloir, there were signs of wind-deposited snow scattered throughout. Halfway up, a small sluff slab slid about a foot above us (it was about 10ft wide), so we agreed to prevent any attempt to go up any further. Coming down the couloir, I noticed a crack shoot off to the side after a turn, but nothing had slid. No one was hurt, and we got some amazing powder turns in the stable area just above the lake.

Weather

Wind Speed

windSpeedLight

Blowing Snow

none

Sky Condition

overcast

Wind Direction

N

Temperature Trend

rising

Precipitation Type

none

Snowpack

Site Aspect

NE

Ski Penetration

30

Cracking Observed

1

Site Elevation Band

alp

Surface Conditions

variable

Whumpfing Observed

1