Fraser Chutes
Avalanchemartinrichard9 · Dec 29, 2019 · White Pass West
Quick report
- Weather
- windy, warm, cloudy
- Ride Type
- openTrees, mellowSlopes, denseTrees
- Stayed Away
- alpineSlopes, steepSlopes, convexSlopes
- Riding Quality
- good
- Snow Conditions
- windAffected, powder
- Avalanche Conditions
- avalancheConditionSlab, avalancheConditionSnow
We decided to ski Fraser Chutes because the visibility after the chutes was not good. We parked at the pullout after the Canadian Border. From the pullout, we observed conice debris in one of the chutes (chutes after you skin up the creek). We also observed avalanche debris in an other chute (For more details, read the MIN from Ellorie McKnight December 28th). The temperature at the pullout was -1 degree. Around 1430, the temperature was 2 degree We decided to ski the chutes and stay conservative. The snow below treeline was deep powder. At treeline it was possible to find powder but the snow was getting really wind affected/wind slab when we were approaching the alpine. The wind was moderate to strong and we observed significant drifting and blowing snow in the alpine. The alpine was really touchy. We found ok to good skiing in some chutes but we stayed in the lower treeline and treeline. We did a Extended Column test, Compression test and a Deep tap test at 1200m, SE aspect, 30 degree slope Results: ECTX (No fracture observed during the test.) CTM10 (SP) down 20 on SH, Comment: SH rounding DTE1 (SP) down 45 on FC Stay safe! Know before you go
Weather
- Avg Temp
- 2
- Wind Speed
- windSpeedModerate
- Blowing Snow
- moderate
- Sky Condition
- brokenClouds
- Wind Direction
- SW
- Temperature Trend
- rising
- Precipitation Type
- none
It starts snowing around 1430
Snowpack
- Depth
- 215
- Obs Type
- point
- Site Aspect
- SE, S
- Test Fracture
- sudden
- Site Elevation
- 1200
- Ski Penetration
- 20
- Test Initiation
- easy
- Site Elevation Band
- tln
- Surface Conditions
- variable, newSnow
- Test Failure Layer Crystal Types
- surfaceHoar, facets
We did a Compression test and a Deep tap test at 1200m, SE aspect, 30 degree slope Results: CTM10 (SP) down 20 on SH, Comment: SH rounding DTE1 (SP) down 45 on FC
Avalanche
- Run Length
- 75
- Slab Width
- 15
- Wind Exposure
- crossLoadedSlope
- Avalanche Size
- 1
- Slab Thickness
- 15
- Avalanche Character
- windSlab
- Number Of Avalanches
- 1
- Avalanche Observation
- 12to24hrsAgo
- Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
- 2019-12-29T11:35:00
We observed evidence of a recent avalanche in one of the main chutes. For more details, read the MIN from Ellorie McKnight (December 28th). We also observed cornice debris in the chute up to the creek.