Ski quality and size 2 solar avalanche

Conditions report

Surprise Pass

Aaron Enns · Mar 17, 2019 · Lake Louise

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Observation photo 1

Conditions report

Location
Surprise Pass

Skied the Surprise Pass tour today.
Bump run on NE aspect at saddleback pass was upside-down 25cm settled storm snow over low density facets.
Shaded air temp at 1pm 2200m was -2 deg.
Bootpack in good shape, Surprise Pass skied fair to good, mostly tracked up but a bit of room left to squeeze in fresh turns.
We saw 1 new natural avalanche size 2 out of steep solar digging deep into the facets.
Avoided steep wind loads and convexities in the alpine and tree line.
Rock fall was considered as a hazard when below steep south facing cliffs with the warming temps.
Skied back to the car across the lake in a t shirt w no gloves at 4pm
Significant amount of rock fall on the road in the kicking horse canyon including a small boulder being dragged underneath the car in front of me!
Happy Spring
Aaron Enns