Stable snow & fast sluffs in Illecillewaet

Quick report

Weather

cold, sunny

Ride Type

sunnySlopes, mellowSlopes, alpineSlopes, convexSlopes

Stayed Away

steepSlopes

Riding Quality

amazing

Snow Conditions

powder

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSlab

Toured up Glacier Crest and rode the east bowl, then continued on to Youngs Traverse/Seven Steps. We triggered multiple fast moving sluffs off Glacier Crest, but no slab characteristics and stable test results Minimal wind effect on Youngs Headwall. Saw recent slab avalanches in very steep, rocky and unsupported terrain. Multiple loose dry point releases below cliffs & cornices. No signs of instability BTL, but did observe the surface hoar layer which was reactive in a hasty pit.

Weather

Sky Condition

fewClouds

Precipitation Type

none

Snowpack

Depth

300

Obs Type

summary

Site Aspect

E

Test Fracture

resistant

Test Initiation

hard

Test Failure Depth

50

Site Elevation Band

alp

Surface Conditions

newSnow

Test Failure Layer Crystal Types

facets

Snowpack structure: ATL on wind loaded lee ENE slope just below the ridge at 2200 meters: 300 cm HS. Facet layer 50cm down (10cm low density powder (20cm in lower on the bowl), 40cm 1F- 1F+ slab, 1-cm 4F+ facets.) Snowpit results: CtH planar on facets 50cm down ECTN17. Uneven break when the slab was levered off w/shovel.