Parkers Loop

Quick report

Weather

cloudy, cold, sunny

Ride Type

alpineSlopes, steepSlopes, sunnySlopes

Stayed Away

convexSlopes

Riding Quality

terrible

Snow Conditions

crusty, hard, windAffected

Rode a steep, narrow, south aspect chute on the backside of parkers yesterday. Route up to parkers summit was fast on account of the very hard conditions. On the south aspect itself we found a suncrust (down 5-30cms depending on loading) in various stages of decomposition from recent cold temperatures. Above the crust we saw a 2cm layer of noticeably larger facets with the new wind slab above (also breaking down where it is thinner). We triggered a small pocket of WSL max 30cms deep <sz 1 in a loaded pocket below the twin ribs in the photos which failed on the larger facets. In the "track" the debris entrained this new faceting windlab sitting ontop of the crust. In areas of heavy loading I expect this WSL would have the potential to propagate into something bigger with the crust facet combo being a good sliding surface. Skiing where the WSL has faceted out was actually quite good if that's your thing. Traversed across the bench at the backside of parkers and popped out on the ridge itself for some white knuckle skiing back to the parking lot. Great little loop. Maybe one for the spring.