Pizza, french fries, extra crust!

Submitted by
AvCan Northwest
Observations date
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 20:00
Location
54.870190° N 127.522920° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Pizza, french fries, extra crust!

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Open trees

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny

Comments

With moderate hazard in the alpine, we went to Hankin to explore some bigger terrain today. Uphill travel conditions were quick with 2 to 5 cm over a breakable crust that extends into the low alpine. Steep southerly slopes softened up in the sun and will have a new surface crust by tomorrow morning.

We did get a shooting crack when poking into a northeast, lee feature. With further investigation, we found a 20 cm wind slab above sugary snow sitting over a crust. Even though we saw no new avalanches we remained wary of isolated features where a small avalanche may have big consequences.

A variety of surface conditions exist in the alpine including wind affected surfaces and crust.
A variety of surface conditions exist in the alpine including wind affected surfaces and crust.
Old debris from previous warming.
Old debris from previous warming.
Weak feathery surface hoar growth below treeline.
Weak feathery surface hoar growth below treeline.