Sastrugi is not a pasta

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Sastrugi is not a pasta

Snow conditions

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

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
  • Warm
  • Windy
Avalanche conditions
  • Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Comments

Today we saw one new natural wind slab avalanche that likely occurred in the last 12-24 hours, on a steep north facing feature just above treeline. It was a size 1 and about 10 - 15 cm deep. We suspect this ran on the firm melt-freeze crust which exists almost everywhere underneath the new snow, except for on high north-facing slopes.

Almost everywhere is wind affected from strong south winds. We were able to sled cut small lee slopes and produce cracking up to 40 cm deep. We did find soft snow and good riding in a sheltered alpine basin.