Powder King AST 2

Riding quality was:

Amazing

Snow conditions were:

• Powder

We rode:

• Mellow slopes

We stayed away from:

• Alpine slopes
• Convex slopes
• Open trees
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Stormy
• Warm
• Windy

Avalanche conditions

• Slab avalanches today or yesterday.
• 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.
• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.
• Rapid temperature rise to near or above 0°C or wet surface snow.

Moderate Compression test results and Extended Column test results down 55cm from surface of snowpack on a windslab/storm slab.

The deeper persistent week layers (at 1500M elevation on NE asp) were down at 100cm (Dec 7PWL) and the (Nov 5 PWL down 200+cm)

Total HS in the Lee at this location was 320cm

The natural slab avalanche that released above PK could no longer be seen due to the amount of storm/wind loading occuring in the past 48hrs.

Temps were near zero mid - day but still cold snowpack as strong winds moved accross slopes from the south. Large size 2+ observed on the Murray Range at Treeline on unsupported terrain feature.

Shooting cracks and soft slab management were the hazards we had to manage but had an amazing day on low angle (under 30 degree) and/or supported terrain.