Mt Field (almost) Summit Lap

Quick report

jeff · Jan 20, 2021 · Waterton Lakes

View on map

Quick report

Weather
cold
Ride Type
alpineSlopes, openTrees
Stayed Away
convexSlopes
Riding Quality
Amazing
Snow Conditions
windAffected, powder

We were surprised to be the only group on Mt Field today. We planned for a summit lap but went knowing wind had been quite strong for the last 24 hrs. We were surprised to signs of wind transport, but very little signs of wind slab formation. Ski penetration varied little throughout the day, averaging about 15cm on top of a supportive midpack. On the crux pitch, about 150m below the summit, there was slight wind slab. From there we carried on up the benched slope. At the col, where Mt Stephen comes into view (about 50m below the summit), we found more significant windslab. It was also super windy and we were walking up towards a fair size cornice that's grown on the summit. We decided to simply head down and enjoy the snow. Overall ski quality was great and there have been very few groups out there. We did see the result of a Sz 2 avalanche on Wapta Mountain. It was triggered by a cornice failure that triggered a small slab. It looked to have occurred in the past 24hrs.