Sphinx Bay Deception Peak

Submitted by
emily.l.70025
Observations date
Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 18:00
Location
49.905970° N 122.978060° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Sphinx Bay Deception Peak

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Amazing
Snow conditions were:
  • Powder
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Mellow slopes
  • Sunny slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Convex slopes
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny
  • Warm

Comments

Toured up to Deception in Sphinx Bay. Glacier looked in good condition. Snow was 15-20cm of soft powder over a harder crust. Witnessed old avalanche activity on steep, rocky sides of Guard Peak (a couple slides, maybe size 0.5) with shallow crowns. Deception Peak past the col was extremely wind affected, with thin compact snow and lots of bare rock on the north aspect. Given the avi forecast and travel advice for the day, we gave that terrain a pass. Ski down the glacier and into the meadows was amazing. Weather was smoking hot and sunny (zero wind), but witnessed no signs of instability that morning.
Some older small, natural slides on steep, rocky faces.
Some older small, natural slides on steep, rocky faces.
Deception Peak - super thin, hard, compacted snow over the rock. Very wind affected from the D-G col to the peak.
Deception Peak - super thin, hard, compacted snow over the rock. Very wind affected from the D-G col to the peak.