Good example of considerable

Quick report

Weather

cloudy, sunny

Ride Type

mellowSlopes, openTrees, alpineSlopes

Stayed Away

convexSlopes, steepSlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

windAffected, powder, heavy

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSound

Set out for the day to do some tree skiing given the considerable hazard rating. Once we got around tree line, a ‘skintrack rutschblock’ (jumping on the slope after a kick turn switchback) produced shooting cracks and propagation on a N aspect. A short way below, hand shears around trees showed unconsolidated storm snow with no weak layer interface. This was a great example of how a small change in elevation and slope angle only 10-15m higher illustrated a much different snowpack and avy problem. We crested a ridge and had a short meandering descent to the start of our tree run. Along the way we ski cut a small test slope above inconsequential terrain which very easily triggered a small 0.5 or less sz slide. This was on a NNW aspect and a steep unsupported convex roll. This result would aid in our decision making process later in the day. After skiing a wet heavy tree bombed run we decided to head for the high country - the undulating ridge toward Co-Pilot. Going up our intention was to ski the low angle ridge. When the sun popped out and lit up some tempting faces that looked very skiable and desirable we had a chat about going further and higher and skiing the same aspect from our ski cut avy earlier. One option was a convex roll below highest ridge top where we could see wind blowing from the South as forecasted. With a high potential for wind slabs at the top, a storm slab over the convex roll, and the run angle turning into a wide shallow gulley exposed to multiple steep slopes we decided to recognize the potential for falling into the ‘it’s sunny and beautiful’ heuristic trap, taking our own advice, and had a stellar run down the ridge we skied up. Surprisingly good skiing with some great pow laps, and a good day for learning, experimenting, and applying knowledge gained to our terrain selection 💪🤓🙌