Mac #11

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Mac #11

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Hard
  • Powder
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cold
  • Sunny

Comments

Had a bit of a near miss in #11 gully on MacDonald. At the top of the gully, we weren’t psyched on the traverse into #10. The snow was firm and had step down crowns. We transitioned and started skiing the first pitch and looked up to see a major powder cloud off the top of the face of Mac Donald. I guess it was either a cornice release or a pocket of snow on the face. The shape of the gully diverted the flow into #11 and away from us but we took the powder cloud to the face. No involvement per se but fairly scary! I had observed the face above us and noticed wind but had not quite given enough attention to the potential for something that big to come from so far above.