Cold Smoke at Cokely

Riding quality was:

Amazing

Snow conditions were:

• Deep powder
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Convex slopes
• Cut blocks
• Dense trees
• Mellow slopes
• Open trees

We stayed away from:

• Alpine slopes
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Stormy
• Windy

Avalanche conditions

• 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Quite the stormy day at Mt Cokely. Access across the Island is quickly improving by the day. 30 cm of snow covers the road at 700 m. We were able to drive the truck a kilometre or so up the Pass Main, and continued on sleds from there.

While access conditions are improving, travel is becoming more challenging. With another 20 cm last night, we are up to ~80 cm(!) sitting on the early December crust. It’s deep out there.

We found a reactive 20 cm storm slab in the new snow. We didn’t have any results on the crust layer at tree line. With that said, we believe the problem might exist higher up where wind transport has scoured slopes to a more trigger able depth.

It was snowing 3-5 cm per hour throughout our day. Winds were moderate gusting strong out of the south. At last, snow conditions are improving on the Island, and just in time for the holidays!