Twin Cairns

Riding quality was:

OK

Snow conditions were:

• Wind affected

We rode:

• Alpine slopes
• Mellow slopes
• Open trees

We stayed away from:

• Convex slopes
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Cloudy

Avalanche conditions

• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow coverage at the Sunshine Village parking lot was just enough on Monday for our small party to skin up from and ski down to parking lot, that is, on the groomed ski-out. It still seemed to be a bit "bushy" to ski a different route below treeline.

Approaching the north end of Twin Cairns on ridge top, and generally at treeline and above, there was wind affected, slightly consolidated wind slab, about 8" deep on top of a few inches of basal facets. Lots of cracking, but no whumphing (maybe just not deep enough for whumphing). Windslab was found on both prevailing leeward (east) and windward (west) slopes, although a little deeper on leeward; shifting winds seem to have left their mark. There was low snow coverage in steeper terrain, except in the tempting windloaded gulleys, which we avoided; so we didn't quite reach the top.

Surpisingly decent skiing on the soft slab, if on very mellow lines; we didn't hit one hidden rock or stump. : - )

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