Whale watching

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Whale watching

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Good
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Dense trees
  • Mellow slopes
  • Open trees
  • Steep slopes
  • Sunny slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Convex slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny
  • Warm
  • Windy

Comments

Toured up ridge 2000 and dropped off the back of the ridge. Snow was variable in exposed areas at Tree line and above. BTL on the SW aspect was soft, good riding due to a deeply faceted surface layer of approximately 30-40cm in some places. The faceted surface layer made skinning up steeper pitches difficult as the downhill ski always seemed to want to slide out from under you.

Returning to the ridge, we rode down the saddle at orca bowl. There was a crust layer that was easy broken through and under that crust the same deeply faceted surface layer existed.

SH was present at all elevations and on all aspects.

There was some evidence of wind slab formation in specific terrain. We saw one natural avalanche (S1) in the distance, on a NE slope below a cliff band.