Saturday East Peak

Quick report

Weather

warm, sunny

Ride Type

mellowSlopes, denseTrees

Riding Quality

ok

Snow Conditions

heavy, windAffected, crusty

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSound, avalancheConditionSlab

Skinned up from BF parking lot @ the snowshoe trailhead, following the creek (Trappers?) Ran into the good and always smiling people from @AlpineWalrus doing the lord's work, aka AST1, as we ascended. Snowpack was wet and heavy on the way up until sub-alpine treeline. At this point we chose to ascend an ESE aspect following and staying skiers left of the NE bowl ridgeline. Upon exiting the treeline, snow became wind affected. As we approached the peak, lead skier reported light audible whumpfing. Noted recent avalanche activity on open northeast aspects in Smoker’s Bowl, with shallow storm slab crowns estimated at 10–15 cm. As a result, northeast aspects and Smoker’s Bowl were avoided. Best ski quality was found in low-angle treed terrain at and after descending out of the sub-alpine. Coverage was adequate with minimal obstacle exposure.