Black queen

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Black queen

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Good
Snow conditions were:
  • Powder
We rode:
  • Mellow slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
Avalanche conditions
  • Slab avalanches today or yesterday.
  • Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Comments

We had many settlements (whumphs) while travelling up the south ridge of white queen and had shooting cracks up to 10m from our skis. Saw one size one remote triggered from south ridge of white queen at around 2100m (see photo). The small avalanche was triggered in steep (40 d) east facing terrain.

Did a quick test profile and had ECTP while cutting the block. Failure was in small facets just above the 20201208 freezing rain crust.

We skied lower angle runs at tree line and we’re careful not to expose ourselves to overhead hazard. A touchy day. Things will get much touchier with new snow, wind and warming temps.