5040 -- The Final Crust

Riding quality was:

OK

Snow conditions were:

• Crusty
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Mellow slopes
• Sunny slopes

We stayed away from:

• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Warm

Avalanche conditions

• Rapid temperature rise to near or above 0°C or wet surface snow.

At the 5040 hut from 23rd to the 25th of Jan.

Freezing levels from:

700m

1500m

2500m

in 3 days.

During the warming periods in the daytime, riding was similar to spring skiing.

Mornings and evenings were riding on an icy crust.

Did numerous hand shear tests and found the layers to be consolidated, no visible faceting. Visible wind slab were found in numerous areas.

If headed to the hut, recommendation would be to take cobalt lake approach. We took the west ridge to the top, and it was incredibly difficult.